Editorial: The role of calcium signaling in gametogenesis and early embryogenesis

Abstract

Calcium homeostasis exerts a profound role in determining the quality of gametogenesis, the resultant efficacy of fertilisation and ultimately the competency of embryogenesis. Perhaps no other single ion plays such a profound and determinative role in reproductive success as calcium, since it is critical for germinal vesicle breakdown, sperm capacitation and hyperactivation, oocyte activation, maintenance of zygote calcium homeostasis and embryogenic developmental gradients.

This Research Topic aimed to collect, collate, and summarize the most recent and cutting-edge advances and propositions studying the molecular determinants and effectors of calcium signalling and homeostasis throughout the early events of fertilisation and preimplantation embryogenesis, with a specific view to examine how calcium can affect the efficacy of such important phenomena.