A new role for well-known gene: CDK12 is essential for oocyte maturation and fertility

Researchers at the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences have described a previously unknown but crucial role of the gene CDK12 in oocyte maturation and fertility. Until now, this gene had been primarily associated with breast and ovarian cancers. However, their latest study demonstrates that removal of this gene in oocytes leads to complete infertility in female mice due to ovarian failure. The loss of CDK12 in oocytes also causes physiological changes in the ovaries. As a result of disrupted folliculogenesis – the proper development and ovulation of oocytes – the ovaries shrink overall. The findings suggest a similar role of this gene in human oocytes as well.

This discovery offers a new perspective on the causes of idiopathic, or spontaneous, premature ovarian failure (POF), which is one of the most common causes of female infertility.

The research was supported in part by the AV21 Strategy project Future of Assisted Reproduction (ART), which connects fundamental research in ART with clinical practice and aims to improve methods of assisted reproduction.

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