Autophagy inhibition of immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and in vitro mature activates apoptosis via caspase-9 and -12 pathway.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the role of autophagy in the immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and in vitro maturation (IVM); the correlations among autophagy, apoptosis, and the activities of caspase in the immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and IVM were also explored.

Study Design: Immature oocytes from mice were vitrified-warmed and IVM. An autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine) was supplemented in cryopreservation solutions and warming solutions.