The cover image shows representative micrographs demonstrating effect of aurora kinase (AURK) inhibition on oocyte meiotic spindle formation. Inhibition of mouse oocyte AURKs with 10 μM ZM447439 (ZM) for 7 h had no observable effect on oocyte development at the light microscope level (inset images). However, immunocytochemical examination demonstrated that morphology of the meiotic spindle of ZM-treated oocytes appeared abnormal, with polymerized microtubules (β-tubulin: green), microtubule organizing centers MTOCS (pericentrin: red/orange) and chromatin (blue) was scattered around the metaphase plate, compared with vehicle treated controls. Furthermore, 16 h treatment of oocytes with ZM resulted in arrest of oocytes at a MI-like stage (inset). Immunocytochemical examination demonstrated aberrant polymerized microtubules, MTOCs and condensed chromatin (blue) and MTOCs (red/orange). Polar body of control MII oocytes is indicated by PB. (See Swain et al., pp. 291-299).
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