Cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation in pig oocytes

The removal of the oocyte from the follicle can affect its developmental competence by a premature drop in cAMP levels. We hypothesize that keeping cAMP levels high during early stages of in vitro maturation will increase normal fertilization rates and predict that both oocyte-secreted factors and proteins/proteases present in the follicular fluid, play a key role in preventing polyspermy.