EFNA5 as an Oocyte-Derived Factor Enhances Developmental Competence by Modulating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis During In Vitro Maturation.

ABSTRACT: In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes remains suboptimal due to oxidative stress and disrupted cumulus-oocyte communication. Oocyte-derived factors (ODFs) are key mediators of this crosstalk and crucial for oocyte competence. Here, we provide systematic evidence that ephrin-A5 (EFNA5) is an oocyte-derived membrane ligand capable of regulating oocyte quality during IVM. Cross-species transcriptomic analysis revealed that EFNA5 is stably enriched in mammalian oocytes but markedly reduced in in vitro-matured oocytes compared with in vivo counterparts. Using the ovine IVM model, supplementation with recombinant EFNA5 significantly improved blastocyst formation, increased total cell numbers, and reduced apoptosis. Mechanistically, EFNA5 promoted cumulus-oocyte complex expansion, reduced reactive

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12729364 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature