The role of metabolic reprogramming in oocyte development: research progress and prospects.

INTRODUCTION: In oocyte growth and development, metabolic reprogramming serves as a core process by which cells adjust their metabolic patterns-including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism-to adapt to developmental cues, differentiation, and environmental stress. This reprogramming is essential for maintaining energy homeostasis and supporting biosynthesis. A synergistic and precisely regulated metabolic network provides the necessary energy, reducing equivalents, and biosynthetic precursors for oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development.

METHODS: This paper systematically reviews the key roles and regulatory mechanisms of the three major metabolic pathways in oocyte development. A literature-based synthesis was conducted, integrating findings from studies on oocyte metabolism and metabolic disorders.

RESULTS: The results show that metabolic dysregulation-associated with diseases such as diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, and early-onset ovarian insufficiency-impairs oocyte quality and embryonic development potential by disrupting ovarian microenvironmental homeostasis.

DISCUSSION: Furthermore, this review discusses potential strategies to increase the success rate of assisted reproduction, including targeted metabolic intervention, multi-omics integration analysis, and mitochondrial function optimization, thereby providing a theoretical basis for clinical practice and scientific research in reproductive medicine.