The role of metabolic reprogramming in oocyte development: research progress and prospects

Introduction In oocyte growth and development, metabolic reprogramming serves as a core process by which cells adjust their metabolic patterns—including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism—to adapt to developmental cues, differentiation, and environmental stress. This reprogramming is essential for maintaining energy homeostasis and supporting biosynthesis. A synergistic and precisely regulated metabolic network provides the necessary energy, reducing equivalents, and biosynthetic precursors for oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Methods This paper systematically reviews the key roles and regulatory mechanisms of the three major metabolic pathways in oocyte development. A literature–based synthesis was conducted, integrating findings from studies on oocyte metabolism and metabolic disorders. Results The results show that metabolic dysregulation—associated with diseases such as diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, and early-onset ovarian insufficiency—impairs oocyte quality and embryonic development potential by disrupting ovarian microenvironmental homeostasis. Discussion Furthermore, this review discusses potential strategies to increase the success rate of assisted reproduction, including targeted metabolic intervention, multi–omics integration analysis, and mitochondrial function optimization, thereby providing a theoretical basis for clinical practice and scientific research in reproductive medicine.