Abstract: The developmental potential of primate oocytes matured in vitro is poor due to the lack of knowledge on primate oocyte maturation.Improving the developmental capability of primate oocytes in culture has great significance in human IVF clinic as well as in basic research of this topic.Based on studies on the cytoplasmic maturation of macaque oocytes,we discussed the effect of several culture elements (estradiol and progesterone,energy substrates,amino acids),on in vitro maturation of primate oocytes,as well as the relations of the age and oestrous cycle of animals to oocyte developmental potential.Understanding the effects of above factors on oocyte maturation at molecular level is a big challenge for future work.