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Activation of Oocytes After Nuclear Transfer

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Nuclear Transfer Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 348))

Abstract

After nuclear transfer, the recipient oocyte must be stimulated to initiate development. This stimulation is achieved by inducing changes in the oocyte cytoplasm that normally are triggered by the sperm during fertilization. In most cases, such changes include a transient increase in the intracellular-free calcium concentration induced by an electrical pulse or alternatively, by chemical agents. Many times, particularly in aged oocytes, this calcium signal is sufficient to stimulate the oocyte developmental program. Other activation protocols were designed to target pathways downstream of the initial calcium signal to affect the activity of regulatory proteins that play central roles in maintaining developmental arrest. This is achieved by the application of protein kinase or protein synthesis inhibitors; combined with a calcium stimulus such inhibitors are widely used for oocyte activation after nuclear transfer and are able to support embryonic development to term.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

    Zoltán Macháty

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  1. Zoltán Macháty
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Reproduction and Development Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Paul J. Verma

  2. Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Alan O. Trounson

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© 2006 Humana Press Inc.

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Macháty, Z. (2006). Activation of Oocytes After Nuclear Transfer. In: Verma, P.J., Trounson, A.O. (eds) Nuclear Transfer Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 348. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-154-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-154-3_3

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-280-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-154-3

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