Regulation of the Oocyte Epigenome During Prophase I Arrest

The regulation of the oocyte epigenome is essential for meiosis and for the generation of a competent female gamete, yet many of the mechanisms behind such requirements are still poorly understood. In this article we will review our current understanding on the epigenetic regulation of the primary oocyte during prophase I-arrest over different species highlighting the differences and similarities between them. Our working hypothesis is that regardless of distinct reproductive strategies the regulation of oocyte epigenome is likely to be conserved across metazoans.