Chronological Changes of Bovine Follicular Oocyte Maturation in Vitro

Chronological changes of bovine follicular cumulus-oocyte-complexesi were studied after in vitro maturation over a period of 48 h. According to their thickness and compactness of cumulus investments they were classified into 4 groups and cultured in enriched Ham’s F-10 medium with or without human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and estradiolbenzoate (EB) for 0, 6, 12, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 and 48 h. Representative samples were taken at each time interval for evaluation of nuclear maturation stages, ooplasm quality and size of the peri vitelline space (PVS). The results showed that oocyte nuclear breakdown (ONBD) required 6 to 12 h culture, and the peak of the first polar abstriction occurred at 24 h. The culture period required for ONBD and abstraction of the first polar body were related to the thickness and compactness of cumulus investments with and approximately 6 h delay in heavily compacted complexes. Ooplasm quality evaluation failed to show a clear trend, but the PVS increased in size from 0 h to 30 h and then, retracted again from 30 to 48 h. The overall maturation rate in the presence of hCG and EB was 79.1 %, and a substantial proportion (68.8 %) of nude or partially covered oocytes reached metaphase II stage. In the presence of hCG and EB no block at either metaphase I or at anaphase-telophase I was observed. In the absence of hCG and EB the percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II was much lower (48.6%) in comparison with oocytes matured in the presence of these hormones (79.1 %). It was concluded a very high proportion of slaughterhouse oocytes could be matured in vitro and that the cumulus investments and addition of certain hormones affected the maturation rate.     

On the Control of Oocyte Meiotic Maturation and Ovulation inCaenorhabditis elegans

Prior to fertilization, oocytes undergo meiotic maturation (cell cycle progression) and ovulation (expulsion from the ovary). To begin the study of these processes inCaenorhabditis elegans,we have defined a time line of germline and somatic events by video microscopy. As the oocyte matures, its nuclear envelope breaks down and its cell cortex rearranges. Immediately thereafter, the oocyte is ovulated by increasing contraction of the myoepithelial gonadal sheath and relaxation of the distal spermatheca. By systematically altering the germ cell contents of the hermaphrodite using mutant strains, we have uncovered evidence of four cell–cell interactions that regulate maturation and ovulation. (1) Both spermatids and spermatozoa induce oocyte maturation. In animals with a feminized germline, maturation is inhibited and oocytes arrest in diakinesis. The introduction of sperm by mating restores maturation. (2) Sperm also directly promote sheath contraction. In animals with a feminized or tumorous germline, contractions are infrequent, whereas in animals with a masculinized germline or with sperm introduced by mating, contractions are frequent. (3 and 4) The maturing oocyte both induces spermathecal dilation and modulates sheath contractions at ovulation; dilation of the distal spermatheca and sharp increases in sheath contraction rates are only observed in the presence of a maturing oocyte.     

Microorganisms within Human Follicular Fluid: Effects on IVF

Our previous study reported microorganisms in human follicular fluid. The objective of this study was to test human follicular fluid for the presence of microorganisms and to correlate these findings with the in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. In this study, 263 paired follicular fluids and vaginal swabs were collected from women undergoing IVF cycles, with various causes for infertility, and were cultured to detect microorganisms. The cause of infertility and the IVF outcomes for each woman were correlated with the microorganisms detected within follicular fluid collected at the time of trans-vaginal oocyte retrieval. Microorganisms isolated from follicular fluids were classified as: (1) ‘colonizers’ if microorganisms were detected within the follicular fluid, but not within the vaginal swab (at the time of oocyte retrieval); or (2) ‘contaminants’ if microorganisms detected in the vagina at the time of oocyte retrieval were also detected within the follicular fluid. The presence of Lactobacillus spp. in ovarian follicular fluids was associated with embryo maturation and transfer. This study revealed microorganisms in follicular fluid itself and that the presence of particular microorganisms has an adverse affect on IVF outcomes as seen by an overall decrease in embryo transfer rates and pregnancy rates in both fertile and infertile women, and live birth rates in women with idiopathic infertility. Follicular fluid microorganisms are a potential cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes in IVF in both infertile women and in fertile women with infertile male partners.     

卵泡内环境对猪卵泡卵体外成熟和发育的影响

研究卵泡内环境对猪卵母细胞体外成熟、受精及受精卵体外发育的影响。主要结果如下：直径≥5mm、4－4.9mm、3－3.9mm和2－2.9mm的卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟率分别为90.5%、89.7%、85.4%和67.4%,体外受精后,卵母细胞的发育能力随卵泡直径的增大而增强,直径≥5mm和4－4.9mm卵泡卵的2－细胞、3－4－细胞发育率显著高于直径2－2.9mm的卵泡卵（P＜0.05或0.01）。体外成熟培养36h、42h和48h,直径2－2.9mm卵泡卵的体外成熟率,体外受精后的卵裂率差异不显著（P＞0.05）。在体外成熟培养液中添加5％或15％的不同直径卵泡的卵泡液,各组间卵母细胞的体外成熟率,受精卵的体外发育率均无显著差异,结果表明：卵泡大小对猪卵母细胞体外成熟、受精及受精卵体外发育有重要影响。     

SIRT1功能及其对卵泡发育和卵母细胞成熟的调控作用 *

沉默信息调节因子1(silent information regulator1, SIRT1)是NAD⁺ 依赖的去乙酰化酶,通过使底物发生去乙酰化而参与细胞众多生理功能的调节,在糖脂代谢、衰老、细胞凋亡、氧化应激等过程中发挥了重要作用。另外,众多研究表明,SIRT1是调控动物卵巢老化、卵泡发育和卵母细胞成熟的重要因子,SIRT1 表达下降或活性改变将导致卵母细胞老化,降低动物的繁殖力。为了充分理解SIRT1功能,并通过调控SIRT1活性而延缓卵巢和卵母细胞老化,从而提高动物繁殖力,简述了SIRT1的激活及其参与细胞内调控的生物过程,并从能量代谢、抗氧化胁迫、染色质重塑的角度讨论了SIRT1的主要功能,重点阐述了SIRT1对动物卵泡发育和卵母细胞成熟的调控作用。     

In vitro Inhibition of Oocyte and Follicular Maturation and Spawning in Starfish (Asterias forbesi) by 2-4-Dinitrophenol

The in vitro effects of 2-4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on spawning and follicular and oocyte maturation in starfish ovaries and its various cellular components were investigated. Spawning and oocyte and follicular maturation induced by starfish gonadotropin radial nerve factor (RNF) in isolated ovarian fragments were all inhibited by appropriate doses of DNP. DNP inhibits processes which occur shortly after addition of the gonadotropin; in ovarian fragments insensitivity to DNP inhibition occurred shortly after addition of RNF but prior to initiation of spawning. Spontaneous follicular and oocyte maturation which occurred following release of ovarian follicles into sea water was prevented by DNP. In non-spontaneously maturing follicles released from the ovary, DNP inhibited both follicle and oocyte maturation induced by the secondary stimulator of spawning and maturation, 1-methyladenine (1-MA). DNP also inhibited 1-MA induced meiotic maturation in isolated immature oocytes incubated in the absence of follicle cells. Inhibition of oocyte maturation was not associated with inhibition of ³H-1-MA incorporation by isolated oocytes. Immature oocytes incubated in the presence of DNP underwent maturation following washing and subsequent exposure to 1-MA. Immature oocytes initially exposed to both 1-MA and DNP, however, showed decreased maturation responsiveness following washing and re-exposure to 1-MA. The results suggest that the inhibitory effects of DNP on spawning and oocyte maturation are the result of direct effects on the oocytes and possibly other cells and tissues within the ovary.     

Effects of Postmortem Interval on Mouse Ovary Oocyte Survival and Maturation

To study the time- and temperature-dependent survival of ovarian oocytes collected from postmortem carcass, ICR mice were killed and placed for different periods (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 h) at different temperatures (25°C, 4°C and 37°C). After preservation, oocyte morphology, germinal vesicle (GV) oocyte number, oocyte meiotic maturation percentage, mitochondrial distribution and intracellular glutathione (GSH) level were evaluated. The results showed no surviving oocytes could be collected by 2h, 6h, and 12 h after carcass preservation at 37°C, 25°C and 4°C, respectively. The number of collected GV oocytes in the ovary deceased as the preservation time lasted at the same temperature. Meanwhile at the same point in time, the ratio of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and the first polar body emission (PBE) gradually reduced as preservation temperature increased. In addition, the percentage of abnormal mitochondrial distribution in the preserved oocytes was obviously higher than that in the control oocytes, while GSH level was not altered in collected oocytes. Unexpectedly, neither chromosome arrangement nor spindle organization was affected as long as the oocytes from preserved carcasses could complete maturation. These data are helpful for proper use of ovary oocytes from postmortem carcass of valuable individuals.     

Studies on the Relative Roles of Pituitary and Progesterone in the Induction of Meiotic Maturation in the Amphibian Oocyte

In the amphibian, gonadotropins act on the epithelial cells surrounding the oocyte to produce and/or release progesterone which in turn acts at the oocyte surface to initiate the resumption of meiotic maturation. Since maturation is reported to require continuous exposure to gonadotropins but only brief (5--15 min) exposure to progesterone, it was of interest to reexamine the interrelationships between the two hormonal stimuli as well as the kinetics of progesterone production, metabolism, and biological activity. Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) required continuous exposure to 0.005 pituitaries/ml for 6.0 h to produce 50% GVBD that occurred at 10.1 h. Actinomycin D (10 microgram/ml) completely inhibited pituitary induced GVBD when added during the first 5--6 h; 50% inhibition occurred when added at 7.3 h. Thus, actinomycin D continues to inhibit 1--2 h after the requirement for pituitary stimulation. Pituitary stimulation produced a 4-fold increase in 3H-acetate incorporation into progesterone and acetate conversion to progesterone was relatively constant during successive 2 h pulses throughout the 10 h period leading to GVBD. There was no significant metabolism of 3H-acetate derived progesterone when follicles were treated with pituitary extract, although the same follicles rapidly concentrated and metabolized exogenous 3H- or 14C-progesterone. The length of continuous progesterone exposure required for 50% GVBD varied from 11 h at 0.158 microM to less than 0.08 h at 15.8 microM. The time to 50% GVBD was only delayed by about 10% (1.5 h) when maximal and minimal progesterone levels were compared. A comparison of 3H-progesterone uptake and response (GVBD) as a function of [progesterone]0 indicated that uptake of 2--4 mumol 1(-1) cell water will induce 50% GVBD. These results indicate that a threshold uptake must be reached to initiate resumption of meiosis and that this level must be maintained throughout the period leading to nuclear breakdown. Under physiologic conditions, gonadotropins stimulate progesterone production and this progesterone is protected from, or inaccessible to, steroid metabolizing enzymes.     

Application of the Model System of Hormonal Stimulation of the Sturgeon Oocyte Maturation and Ovulation in vitro for Solving Some Fundamental and Applied Problems

The author summarizes the results of many-year application of the model of in vitro sturgeon oocyte maturation for different purposes, such as comparison of gonadotropic activities of different preparations, selection of females for breeding, and studying the effects of different factors in order to improve the breeding technology. Special attention is paid to factors that can affect the results of experiments on hormonal stimulation of in vitro oocyte maturation and ovulation and their interpretation. Two other phenomena are discussed: the inhibitory effect of gonadotropic pituitary hormones on the progesterone-induced in vitro oocyte maturation and the nonhormonal induction of oocyte maturation, further studies of which can elucidate the mechanisms underlying the hormonal regulation of oogenesis in sturgeons.     

Granulosa Cell Apoptosis Induced by a Novel FSH Binding Inhibitory Peptide From Human Ovarian Follicular Fluid

Pituitary gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, are the key regulators of ovarian folliculogenesis; these are known to be directly or indirectly modulated by many intraovarian factors. Our group has identified and studied one such novel peptide from human ovarian follicular fluid. Its partial N-terminal eight amino acid sequence has been deduced, referred to as octapeptide (OP). OP induces follicular atresia in mice and interferes with normal ovarian function in non-human primates, this action being similar to the native peptide. Thus, in this study, an attempt has been made to elucidate the mechanism of action of the synthetic OP by studying the pathway of follicular atresia in mouse ovary. Changes in granulosa cells were studied using various apoptotic markers by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. An increase in apoptotic cell population in atretic- and peptide-treated groups was observed compared with normal controls. Interestingly, both these groups exhibited differences in the apoptotic pathway. Results showed that the mitochondrial pathway was predominant in the atretic group, whereas the Fas-FasL pathway was predominant in the peptide-treated groups. The ultrastructural study also showed apoptotic changes in the OP-treated and atretic groups; the pattern of apoptosis differed at the subcellular level. (J Histochem Cytochem 56:961–968, 2008)     

The Maturation of Oocyte Follicular Epithelium of Podarcis s. sicula Is Promoted by d-Aspartic Acid

We investigated whether the maturation of oocyte follicular epithelium of lizard is affected by d-aspartic acid (d-Asp). Our results demonstrated that d-Asp is endogenously present in the oocytes, and its distribution varies during the reproductive cycle and following intraperitoneal administration. At previtellogenesis, it is observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of pyriform cells, in intermediate cells, in some small cells of the granulosa, in the ooplasm, and in some thecal elements. At vitellogenesis, d-Asp is localized in the proximity of the zona pellucida, in the theca, and in the ooplasm. Injected d-Asp is mainly captured by pyriform cells and ooplasm of previtellogenic oocytes, but a moderate accumulation is evident in the cytoplasm of some small granulosa cells and in the theca. d-Asp also increases the ovarian and plasmatic levels of 17β-estradiol and decreases those of testosterone. As a direct and/or indirect consequence of d-Asp, previtellogenic oocytes grow up and mature, resulting in a higher accumulation of carbohydrates in the granulosa, zona pellucida, and ooplasm, but also a reduction in the thickness of the granulosa layer and an increase of the theca stratum. Taken together, our results show that d-Asp may be related to the synchrony of reproduction, either enhancing the growth and maturation of follicular epithelium or influencing its endocrine functions. (J Histochem Cytochem 58:157–171, 2010)     

抗P-选择素凝集素-EGF功能域单抗对人树突状细胞成熟及功能抑制作用分析

在发现抗P-选择素凝集素-EGF功能域单抗(PsL-EGFmAb)对体外培养人树突状细胞(DC)成熟及功能有抑制作用基础上,进一步观察了PsL-EGFmAb对DC干预调节的作用机制。通过SCF、GM-CSF、TGF-β1、Flt-3L和TNF-α体外培养体系,从脐血CD34 造血干细胞中诱导扩增获得DC,并于成熟过程中用PsL-EGFmAb进行干预。采用流式细胞仪检测细胞表面分子表达;RT-PCR检测细胞内NF-κBp50、NF-κBp65mRNA表达;MTT比色法检测T细胞增殖反应,以及ELISA法测定IL-12p70分泌的含量。结果显示,PsL-EGFmAb对DC表面特异性C型凝集素DC-SIGN(CD209)表达有抑制作用,同时也能抑制DC细胞内NF-κBp50、NF-κBp65mRNA表达,相应抑制其黏附共刺激分子CD11c、CD83、CD80、CD86表达,以及IL-12p70分泌,此外也可抑制DC体外刺激T细胞增殖的能力。研究结果表明,PsL-EGFmAb对DC成熟及功能的抑制作用,提示与其抑制作为DC模式识别受体及功能分子DC-SIGN有关,并可能是通过影响NF-κB信号途径起作用。     

Effects of Aroclor 1254 on In Vivo Oocyte Maturation in the Mouse

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are stable, lipophilic compounds that accumulate in the environment and in the food chain. Though some studies provided evidence that PCBs had adverse effects on reproductive function, most of these results were from in vitro models. Therefore we investigated the effect of Aroclor 1254 (a commercial PCBs mixture) treatments on in vivo maturation and developmental potential of mouse oocytes. In the present study, female ICR mice were treated with different doses (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) of Aroclor 1254 (a commercial PCB mixture) once every 72 hours by intraperitoneal injection for 9 days. After three treatments of Aroclor 1254, the mice were superovulated to collect oocytes one day after the last exposure. The effects of Aroclor 1254 on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and preimplantation embryonic development were investigated. Immunofluorescence-stained oocytes were observed under a confocal microscope to assess the effects of Aroclor 1254 on spindle morphology. Parthenogenic activation and the incidence of cumulus apoptosis in cumulus-oocyte complexes were observed as well. Oocytes exposed to different doses of Aroclor 1254 in vivo were associated with a significant decrease in outgrowth potential, abnormal spindle configurations, and the inhibition of parthenogenetic activation of ovulated oocytes. Furthermore, the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells was increased after exposed to Aroclor 1254. These results may provide reference for the treatment of reproductive diseases such as infertility or miscarriage caused by environmental contaminants.     

重组人促卵泡激素剂量对食蟹猴卵泡发育和排卵同期化的影响

目的优化食蟹猴胚胎移植同步受体的处理技术。方法选择5~9岁月经周期正常的成年雌性食蟹猴37只,于出现月经血的第2~3天,每日肌注重组人促卵泡激素(rh FSH),按超排剂量和方式分2个实验组,超排供体组、超排受体组,另有一组自然受体组(对照组)。结果和结论 2个实验组超排后卵巢反应全部良好,超排供体组和超排受体组超排后卵巢的获卵总数(15.18±6.51 VS.5.67±3.79)和平均排卵数(6.77±3.61 VS.1.00±0.00)差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),但超排受体组和超排供体组的雌二醇(E2)水平浓度差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),变化模式一致,且超排受体组与超排供体组排卵同期化的准确率可达83.33%,而对照组仅为42.85%,两者差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。     

绵羊卵泡液和次黄嘌呤对卵母细胞体外减数分裂的影响

目的　利用在培养液中添加绵羊卵泡液和次黄嘌呤 ,抑制卵母细胞GVBD发生 ,延长转录活性 ,从而使卵母细胞真正成熟 ,提高胚胎质量及生产效率。方法　利用体外成熟技术对有屠宰采集的绵羊卵母细胞进行培养 ,培养液中添加卵泡液及次黄嘌呤 ,检查成熟效果。结果　将卵母细胞培养在 5 0 %和 10 0 %的卵泡液中 ,2 4h后处于GV期的卵母细胞分别为 19% (8 4 2 )和 33 3% (13 39)。在含有 4mmol L次黄嘌呤的培养液中 ,2 4h后有2 1 6 % (16 74 )的卵母细胞处GV期 ,而对照组中只有 6 % (3 5 0 ) ,经过次黄嘌呤处理的卵母细胞多数都停滞于PⅠ期(44 6 % ,33 74 )。在 4mmol L次黄嘌呤培养液中添加FSH并未使受到抑制的卵母细胞诱导成熟。结论　卵泡液和次黄嘌呤只能在有限的程度上抑制减数分裂的重新启动 ,并对减数分裂的全过程都有影响 ,这种影响程度与抑制因子的浓度相关 ,存在明显的剂量效应。     

小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟及受精过程中细胞核的时空变化规律

用电镜方法研究小鼠卵母细胞的发育及受精虽然已有很多报道,但大多数是有关细胞质、尤其是皮质颗粒、高尔基复合体及线粒体的形态及分布变化的。从卵母细胞体外成熟培养、第一次减数分裂恢复到受精后第二次减数分裂完成,细胞核经历了复杂的变化,有关的系统研究却很少。本实验详细地研究了小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟及受精过程中两性生殖细胞内细胞核的时空变化规律。从卵巢中采集生发泡（ＧＶ）期卵母细胞,进行体外成熟培养,经超排获得的成熟卵母细胞去卵丘和透明带后,用于体外受精。于体外成熟培养及受精后的不同时间,用光镜及电镜方法观察细胞核变化及极体排放。结果表明,尽管大多数卵母细胞在体外培养２至４小时生发泡破裂（ＧＶＢＤ）,但有１３．６％在培养８小时后仍处于ＧＶ期（图１）。电镜观察揭示,不发生ＧＶＢＤ的卵母细胞核的核仁由颗粒性纤维成分、空泡及纤维中心组成。有时核仁表面有空泡。只有核仁完全致密化、核仁周围有核仁相随染色质分布时,卵母细胞才获得恢复减数分裂的能力。ＧＶＢＤ发生时,随着核仁相随染色质向核膜侧扩散迁移,核仁越来越小;与此同时,核膜打折,染色质团块中央出现电子致密的芯。核仁的消失早于核膜的破裂,提示核仁成分可能参与核膜打折及破裂,体外培     

Exosomal and Non-Exosomal Transport of Extra-Cellular microRNAs in Follicular Fluid: Implications for Bovine Oocyte Developmental Competence

Cell-cell communication within the follicle involves many signaling molecules, and this process may be mediated by secretion and uptake of exosomes that contain several bioactive molecules including extra-cellular miRNAs. Follicular fluid and cells from individual follicles of cattle were grouped based on Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) staining of the corresponding oocytes. Both Exoquick precipitation and differential ultracentrifugation were used to separate the exosome and non-exosomal fraction of follicular fluid. Following miRNA isolation from both fractions, the human miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT miRNA PCR array system was used to profile miRNA expression. This analysis found that miRNAs were present in both exosomal and non-exosomal fraction of bovine follicular fluid. We found 25 miRNAs differentially expressed (16 up and 9 down) in exosomes and 30 miRNAs differentially expressed (21 up and 9 down) in non-exosomal fraction of follicular fluid in comparison of BCB- versus BCB+ oocyte groups. Expression of selected miRNAs was detected in theca, granulosa and cumulus oocyte complex. To further explore the potential roles of these follicular fluid derived extra-cellular miRNAs, the potential target genes were predicted, and functional annotation and pathway analysis revealed most of these pathways are known regulators of follicular development and oocyte growth. In order to validate exosome mediated cell-cell communication within follicular microenvironment, we demonstrated uptake of exosomes and resulting increase of endogenous miRNA level and subsequent alteration of mRNA levels in follicular cells in vitro. This study demonstrates for the first time, the presence of exosome or non-exosome mediated transfer of miRNA in the bovine follicular fluid, and oocyte growth dependent variation in extra-cellular miRNA signatures in the follicular environment.     

黑眶蟾蜍卵母细胞体外成熟过程中生发泡迁移的研究(英文)

生发泡迁移（ＧＶＭ）是大多数两栖类动物中卵母细胞成熟之前都可以观察到的、涉及细胞核行为的现象。本实验在光镜水平上对激素诱导下的黑眶蟾蜍卵母细胞的ＧＶＭ现象、以及细胞骨架解聚剂类药物———秋水仙素、细胞松弛Ｂ（ＣＢ）对这种激素诱导作用的影响进行了研究。同时,采用ＡＺＡＮ染色法观察了ＧＶＭ过程中生发泡周边纤维骨架的结构变化。将取自刚脱离冬眠期雌体的卵母细胞按不同的培养液、分三个实验组,体外培养不同的时间后,固定、染色、观察。对照组培养液成分为Ｒｉｎｇｅｒ液中加入人绒毛膜促性腺激素和脑垂体;实验组分别增加秋水仙素或ＣＢ。Ｔａｂ．１和ＰｌａｔｅＩ１,４,５,６,７,８,９表明：经过体外培养４ｈ,各组生发泡均向动物极表面发生了迁移。但是,秋水仙素的作用在培养的前２ｈ,对ＧＶＭ表现为促进效应（ＰｌａｔｅＩ５）;而培养的后２ｈ,却表现为抑制（ＰｌａｔｅＩ８）;ＣＢ的作用始终是抑制（ＰｌａｔｅＩ６＆９）。６ｈ后,各组生发泡均告破裂（ＰｌａｔｅＩ１０,１１,１２）。正常情况下,生发泡周围被一环形纤维包围,其外侧有两个纤维化小体（ＰｌａｔｅＩ２）。发育较快者,纤维化小体消失,植物极附近纤维逐渐加厚（ＰｌａｔｅＩ２     

Altered Theca and Cumulus Oocyte Complex Gene Expression,Follicular Arrest and Reduced Fertility in Cows with Dominant Follicle Follicular Fluid Androgen Excess

Aspiration of bovine follicles 12–36 hours after induced corpus luteum lysis serendipitously identified two populations of cows, one with High androstenedione (A4; >40 ng/ml; mean = 102) and another with Low A4 (<20 ng/ml; mean = 9) in follicular fluid. We hypothesized that the steroid excess in follicular fluid of dominant follicles in High A4 cows would result in reduced fertility through altered follicle development and oocyte maternal RNA abundance. To test this hypothesis, estrous cycles of cows were synchronized and ovariectomy was performed 36 hours later. HPLC MS/MS analysis of follicular fluid showed increased dehydroepiandrosterone (6-fold), A4 (158-fold) and testosterone (31-fold) in the dominant follicle of High A4 cows. However, estrone (3-fold) and estradiol (2-fold) concentrations were only slightly elevated, suggesting a possible inefficiency in androgen to estrogen conversion in High A4 cows. Theca cell mRNA expression of LHCGR, GATA6, CYP11A1, and CYP17A1 was greater in High A4 cows. Furthermore, abundance of ZAR1 was decreased 10-fold in cumulus oocyte complexes from High A4 cows, whereas NLRP5 abundance tended to be 19.8-fold greater (P = 0.07). There was a tendency for reduction in stage 4 follicles in ovarian cortex samples from High A4 cows suggesting that progression to antral stages were impaired. High A4 cows tended (P<0.07) to have a 17% reduction in calving rate compared with Low A4 cows suggesting reduced fertility in the High A4 population. These data suggest that the dominant follicle environment of High A4 cows including reduced estrogen conversion and androgen excess contributes to infertility in part through altered follicular and oocyte development.