Microtubule organization during human parthenogenesis

Fertil Steril. 2009 Apr;91(4):1271-2. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.05.051. Epub 2008 Aug 15.

Abstract

In human fertilization, the sperm centrosome plays a crucial role as a microtubule organizing center (MTOC). We studied microtubule organization during human parthenogenesis, which occurs when a human egg undergoes cleavage without a sperm centrosome. Multiple cytoplasmic asters were organized in the human oocyte after parthenogenetic activation, indicating that multiple MTOC are present in the human oocyte cytoplasm and function like a human sperm centrosome during parthenogenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Cytoplasm / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microtubule-Organizing Center / physiology*
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Microtubules / physiology
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Oocytes / ultrastructure
  • Parthenogenesis / physiology*