FIGURE 2.

Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) exposure affects oocyte meiotic maturation. (A) Representative images of the germinal vesicles oocytes obtained from control and BBP‐exposed ovary, and images of the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) oocytes cultured in vitro. (B) The GVBD rate of BBP‐exposed oocytes was not different from that of control oocytes after 3 h culture. Results are expressed as mean ± SD; experiments were repeated at least three times (NS, not significant; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001). (C) Representative images of oocytes in control and BBP‐exposed groups after 12 h culture. (D) The rate of polar body extrusion was significantly reduced in the BBP‐exposed oocytes comparing with that of the control oocytes. Results are expressed as mean ± SD; experiments were repeated at least three times (NS, not significant; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001).