The aging oocyte

Maternal aging has a profound affect on the reproductive capabilities of women. Because many women are delaying childbirth, there is increasing interest in the mechanisms attendant to the reproductive dysfunction that they encounter. One of the primary targets of aging is the oocyte, which exhibits high rates of chromosome mismanagement during meiosis as maternal age increases. It is unknown whether environmental factors or the intrinsic biology of the oocyte is responsible for problems in chromosome segregation. However, studies into the process of meiotic maturation of the human oocyte will improve our understanding of this important reproductive process. This chapter focuses briefly on several areas of current interest in the regulation of meiosis, including specific molecular and structural components that play key roles in this process.