Oogenesis & Ovulation: Oocyte Maturation and Ovulation, Comparative

Release of mature and healthy eggs is essential for fertilization and reproduction. Oogenesis, across various species, entails a choreography of molecular factors and signaling orchestrating multiple critical events, such as meiotic arrest and resumption. However, the regulation of these events exhibits significant diversity among species, reflecting evolutionary adaptations geared towards optimizing reproductive success. Yet, research conducted in various species has largely delineated the regulatory processes governing oocyte development and maturation. This article, through a comparative lens, summarizes the universal and divergent aspects of oogenesis and ovulation among the most extensively studied animal models. By comparing various signaling pathways and underlying mechanisms that govern key meiotic events - including meiotic arrest, resumption, oocyte /maturation, and ovulation - across different species, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the nuanced processes underlying reproductive success.