Current Relevant Knowledge on Dog Reproductive Physiology - a Review.

Successful in vitro techniques depend on the possibility to mimic in vivo conditions. For this reason, knowledge on reproductive physiology is necessary to define an efficient entirely in vitro system to produce embryos. A better understanding of the processes and the factors underlying in vivo fertilisation in the dog is necessar. In vitro oocyte maturation had been extensively studied, but we could wonder if in vivo processes are identical with what was observed during in vitro studies. Improving reproductive biotechnologies therefore requires the realization of fundamental studies to better describe and understand phenomena. This review presents a summary of current available knowledge about dog reproductive physiology and biology of the canine oocyte development and maturation, specifically those factors influencing in vitro developmental competence of the oocyte. An understanding of the mechanisms controlling oocyte maturation and development is a particularly important target because it would be helpful to developing assisted breeding in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]