Human female meiosis: what makes a good egg go bad?

Critical events of oogenesis occur during three distinct developmental stages: meiotic initiation in the fetal ovary, follicle formation in the perinatal period, and oocyte growth and maturation in the adult. Evidence from studies in humans and mice suggests that the genetic quality of the egg may be influenced by events at each of these stages. Recent experimental studies add additional complexity, suggesting that environmental influences might adversely affect all three stages. Thus, understanding the molecular control of oogenesis during these critical developmental windows will not only contribute to an understanding of human aneuploidy, but also provide a means of assessing potential effects of environmental exposures on human reproductive health.