Three-dimensional finite element model to study calcium distribution in oocytes

Calcium is the most universal second messenger in cells and plays an important role in initiation, sustenance and termination of various activities in cells required for maintaining the structure and function of the cell. Calcium signal at fertilization is necessary for egg activation and exhibits specialized spatial and temporal dynamics. The specific calcium concentration distribution patterns in oocytes required for various activities such as egg fertilization and maturation are not well understood. In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element model is proposed to study the spatio-temporal calcium distribution in oocyte. The parameters such as buffers, SERCA pump, RyR calcium channel, point source and line source of calcium are incorporated in the model. The appropriate initial and boundary conditions have been framed on the basis of physical condition of the problem. A program is developed in MATLAB for simulation. The results have been used to study the effect of source geometry, RyR calcium channel, SERCA pump and buffers on cytosolic calcium concentration distribution in oocyte.