Creation of both gametes, sperm and oocyte, and their fusion during fertilization are essential step for beginning of life. Although molecular mechanisms regulating gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development are still subjected to intensive study, a lot of phenomena remain unclear. Based on our best knowledge and own results, we consider gasotransmitters to be essential for various signalisation in oocytes and embryos. In accordance with nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) physiological necessity, their involvement during oocyte maturation and regulative role in fertilization followed by embryonic development have been described. During these processes, NO- and H2S-derived posttranslational modifications represent the main mode of their regulative effect. While NO represent the most understood gasotransmitter and H2S is still intensively studied gasotransmitter, appreciation of carbon monoxide (CO) role in reproduction is still missing. Overall understanding of gasotransmitters including their interaction is promising for reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), because these approaches contend with failure of in vitro assisted reproduction.

Institute of Animal Science Pratelstvi 815 104 00 Praha Uhrineves Czech Republic

Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Biomedical Center Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen Charles University Prague Alej Svobody 1655 76 323 00 Pilsen Czech Republic; Department of Histology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen Charles University Prague Alej Svobody 1655 76 323 00 Pilsen Czech Republic

Team Régulation des Signaux de Division UMR 8576 CNRS Université Lille 1 Sciences et Technologies FR 3688 CNRS 596 55 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex France

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Hydrogen sulfide and its role in female reproduction

Involvement of K+ATP and Ca2+ channels in hydrogen sulfide-suppressed ageing of porcine oocytes