Mineral Supplementation Effects on Oocyte Development
Summary
Mineral micronutrients such as zinc, selenium and copper serve as indispensable cofactors in enzymatic reactions, redox regulation and structural integrity during oocyte growth and maturation. Adequate mineral supply supports folliculogenesis by modulating steroidogenesis, antioxidant defence and mitochondrial function within the oocyte and surrounding cumulus cells. Deficiencies or excesses can disrupt meiotic progression, spindle formation and cytoplasmic maturation, leading to reduced developmental competence. In assisted reproduction techniques, optimisation of mineral concentrations in culture and vitrification media has emerged as a critical factor for improving oocyte survival, maturation rates and subsequent embryo quality. Furthermore, dietary mineral interventions in livestock and human clinical settings have demonstrated notable effects on oocyte yield, hormonal balance and pregnancy outcomes, underscoring the global significance of tailored micronutrient strategies in both agricultural and clinical reproductive contexts.
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Mineral Supplementation Effects on Oocyte Development publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in mineral supplementation effects on oocyte development across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Oocyte maturation: The process by which an immature germ cell completes meiosis I and prepares for fertilisation, encompassing both nuclear and cytoplasmic changes.
In vitro maturation (IVM): Laboratory procedure whereby oocytes are matured outside the ovarian environment to achieve competence for fertilisation.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen that, in excess, can damage cellular components and impair oocyte quality.
Vitrification: A rapid cryopreservation technique that prevents ice crystal formation by solidifying oocyte suspensions into a glass-like state, requiring optimisation of cryoprotectant and mineral composition.
References
- Copper deficiency affects the developmental competence of porcine oocytes matured in vitro. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2022).
- The Adjuvant Impacts of Antioxidant Micronutrients on Ovarian Follicle Development, Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development of Mammalian Species: A Review. Indian Journal of Animal Research (2024).
- Oocyte aspiration and in vitro embryo production in Jersey cows with selenium-supplemented diet. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (2012).
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