Gene mutations impede oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development.

Reproductive diseases are a long-standing problem and have become more common in the world. Currently, 15% of the world's population suffers from infertility, and half of them are women. Maturation of oocytes, successful fertilization, and high-quality embryos are prerequisites for pregnancy.

Regulatory roles of alternative splicing at Ezh2 gene in mouse oocytes.

Background: Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), the core member of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), has multiple splicing modes and performs various physiological functions. However, function and mechanism of alternative splicing at Ezh2 exon 3 in reproduction are unknown.

Methods: We generated Ezh2 and Ezh2 mouse models with different point mutations at the Ezh2 exon 3 alternative splicing site, and each mutant mouse model expressed either the long or the short isoform of Ezh2.

deficiency results in female infertility by disturbing steroid pathway and decreasing ovarian reserve in mice.

The number and quality of oocytes in the ovarian reserve are related to fertility and reproductive lifespan in mammals. Some transcription factors have been demonstrated to determine oogenesis. The insulinoma-associated 2 () gene is a member of the Snail transcriptional repressor superfamily.

H3K36me2 methyltransferase NSD2 orchestrates epigenetic reprogramming during spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is precisely controlled by sophisticated gene expression programs and is driven by epigenetic reprogramming, including histone modification alterations and histone-to-protamine transition. Nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 2 (Nsd2) is the predominant histone methyltransferase catalyzing H3K36me2 and its role in male germ cell development remains elusive. Here, we report that NSD2 protein is abundant in spermatogenic cells.

Exposure of mouse oocytes to N,N-dimethylformamide impairs mitochondrial functions and reduces oocyte quality.

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is a widely-used solvent for the synthesis of synthetic fibers such as polyacrylonitrile fiber, and can also be used to make medicine. Although this organic solvent has multipurpose applications, its biological toxicity cannot be ignored and its impact on mammalian reproduction remains largely unexplored. Our study found that DMF exposure inhibited oocyte maturation and fertilization ability.