Primate and bovine immature oocytes and follicles as sources of fertilizable oocytes

Abstract

This review discusses the mechanisms underlying ovarian follicle development and the potential of immature follicles and oocytes from non-rodent mammalian species particularly human and bovine to serve as sources of oocytes for the in-vitro production of embryos. Factors that regulate growth and differentiation of unilaminar (primordial and primary) and multilaminar (secondary) follicles and the maturation of oocytes are highlighted. We conclude that many obstacles must still be overcome before fertilizable oocytes can be obtained from human and bovine ovaries, and more research on the quality of and culture conditions for immature oocytes and follicles is required before these can be considered as a source for in-vitro production.