Abstract: The oocyte aging is related to many adverse factors, in which oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction lower the quality of oocyte and affect further development. Postovulatory aging (POA), one type of oocyte aging, is more common in the in vitro culture of oocyte, which causes not only dysembryoplasia and poor oocyte quality but also the reduced pregnancy rate and the increased birth defects. Oxidative stress is the essential trigger factor of POA, which may influence the oocyte quality and embryonic developmental potential via the activated apoptosis-related pathways. This paper summarizes the factors of POA, oxidative stre

Key words: Oocytes, Cell aging, Oxidative stress, Antioxidants, Embryonic development