Acrylamide (ACR) is a compound with severe neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity.Recent studies show that ACR impairs the function of reproductive organs, e.g., epididymis and testes.In vitro maturation of mouse oocyte is a sensitive and valuable assay to identify potential chemical hazard on female fertility.The aim of this study was to evaluate the adverse effects of ACR on the maturation and development of mouse oocytes in vitro.Cumulus-enclosed oocytes were incubated in a maturation medium containing 0, 5, 10 and 20 μM of ACR.Spindle morphology of oocytes was determined by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.Our results showed that oocytes exposed to different doses of ACR in vitro were associated with a significant decrease in outgrowth potential, occurrence of abnormal spindle configurations, and the inhibition of parthenogenetic activation of ovulated oocytes.Furthermore, apoptosis in cumulus cells was enhanced after cumulus--oocyte complexes being exposed to ACR.