Meiotic maturation of the mammalian oocyte in vitro: Effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on protein synthesis

Mouse oocytes arrested in dictyate of the first meiotic prophase by dibutyryl cyclic AMP accumulated exogenous valine at the same rate as oocytes undergoing meiotic maturation. The apparent rate of protein synthesis and the spectrum of proteins synthesized were not significantly affected by the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP in the culture system. These results suggest that cytoplasmic maturation of the mammalian oocyte proceeds independently of nuclear progression during the period required for completion of the first meiotic division in vitro.