Genetics and Immunology · Reproductive Genetics

Mitochondrial content reflects oocyte variability and fertilization outcome

Santos TA, El Shourbagy S, St John JC

Published March 2006 Fertility and sterility
DOI 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.09.017 PMID 16500323

Abstract

Objective

To determine the content of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in oocytes from a range of patients with fertilization success and failure.

Design

Analysis of mtDNA content in fertilized and unfertilized oocytes and embryos by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Setting

University hospital infertility and research center.

Patients

Fifty-four women seeking treatment for infertility.

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measures

A total of 142 fertilized and unfertilized oocytes were classified into three main groups. Group I consisted of 35 fertilized oocytes from 21 patients; group II, 65 unfertilized oocytes from 36 patients; and group III, 42 degenerate oocytes from 23 patients. Mitochondrial DNA content was determined by SYBR Green real-time PCR-based assay.

Results

The mean mtDNA copy number for the fertilized oocytes was 250,454, whereas for the unfertilized group it was 163,698. There were significant differences for mtDNA copy number between the male factor and female factor infertility unfertilized oocytes and between the unexplained infertility and female factor infertility groups. The mean copy number for the degenerate oocyte group was 44,629, which was significantly different from the other subdivisions in this group.

Conclusions

Mitochondrial DNA content is critical to fertilization outcome and serves as an important marker of oocyte quality, explaining some cases of fertilization failure.

Topics

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Genetics and Immunology › Reproductive Genetics › Epigenetics
Teresa Almeida Santos, Shahy El Shourbagy, Justin C St John
T Santos, S Shourbagy, J John
PMID 16500323 16500323 DOI 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.09.017 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.09.017 Santos et al. 2006, Santos 2006