The delay in fertilization after ovulation or retention of ovulated oocytes in the fish body causes postovulatory aging. Postovulatory aging leads to time-dependent deterioration of oocyte quality and loss of fertilization capacity. The mechanisms behind losing oocyte quality and developmental capacity due to postovulatory oocyte aging remain elusive. The emerging climate change issues in nature and unfavorable spawning conditions have caused the retention of ovulated oocytes in the female body. Analyzing the apoptotic parameters to understand the fate of these aged oocytes and the consequences of this aging on embryo development was the main objective of this study. The results obtained from this study indicate that aged oocytes die by apoptosis. The embryos from aged oocytes show more apoptosis, stating that oocyte aging affects embryo development by affecting the intensity of apoptosis.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.