A key challenge facing reproductive biologists is the integration of the knowledge about
oocyte-secreted factors into coherent physiological mechanisms of how oocytes govern
folliculogenesis, cumulus cell function, and oocyte and embryo development. Although key
oocyte-secreted factors have been identified, understanding their modes of action is
complicated by multiple interactions between maternal and oocyte signaling molecules, as well
as the constantly changing state of physical interactions between the oocyte and its
companion somatic cells during folliculogenesis. Thus, the investigators study aimed to
determine if there is any relationship between different gonadotropin preparations and
oocyte-secreted factor secretion, the endocrine pattern in follicular fluid, and the
apoptotic rate in cumulus cells during controlled ovarian stimulation.