Molecular regulation mechanism of oocyte maturation in beef cattle

Bovine oocytes are one of the indispensable cells in cattle reproduction and have become a research hot spot in cattle reproduction in recent years. The maturation process of oocytes is mainly regulated by enzymes, hormones, cytokines, and other molecules. The factors affecting cattle oocyte maturation have been previously studied to clarify the molecular mechanisms of cattle oocyte maturation. In this review article, phospholipid protein-3-kinase/protein kinase B, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, epidermal growth factor receptor/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and other signaling pathways related to oocyte maturation are discussed. In addition, the molecular mechanisms of some coding genes (JY-1, FGF-10, CDC20, etc.) and non-coding genes (miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA) regulating oocyte maturation have been reviewed to provide new ideas for high reproductive performance molecular breeding of high-quality cattle.