Degradation of actin nucleators affects cortical polarity of aged mouse oocytes

ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism of mouse oocyte polarity loss during aging.DesignExperimental study.SettingAcademic basic research laboratory.Animal(s)Mice.Intervention(s)Oocytes were collected 16 hours after injection of hCG and cultured in M16 medium for an additional 14 hours with or without caffeine.Main Outcome Measure(s)Expression and localizations of actin nucleators actin-related protein 2/3 complex, JMY, and WAVE2 were examined by immunofluorescence staining, and their messenger RNA levels were examined by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.Result(s)The protein and messenger RNA levels of actin-related protein 2/3 complex, JMY, and WAVE2 were decreased in aged oocytes, but the levels were normal in caffeine-treated aged oocytes.Conclusion(s)Our data indicated that the loss of oocyte polarity may be due to the degradation of actin nucleators in aged oocytes.