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Review
. 2011 Sep;28(9):773-83.
doi: 10.1007/s10815-011-9588-7. Epub 2011 May 27.

The contribution of mitochondrial function to reproductive aging

Yaakov Bentov  1 , Tetyana Yavorska, Navid Esfandiari, Andrea Jurisicova, Robert F Casper
Affiliations
Review

The contribution of mitochondrial function to reproductive aging

Yaakov Bentov et al. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: The number of women attempting to conceive between the ages of 36 and 44 has increased significantly in the last decade. While it is well established that women's reproductive success dramatically declines with age, the underlying physiological changes responsible for this phenomenon are not well understood. With assisted reproductive technologies, it is clear that oocyte quality is a likely cause since women over 40 undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with oocytes donated by younger women have success rates comparable to young patients. Apart from oocyte donation, there is no known intervention to improve the pregnancy outcome of older patients. The aim of this paper was the review the relevant data on the potential role of mitochondria in reproductive aging.

Method: Review of current literature on the subject.

Results: We present the current evidence that associate mitochondrial dysfunction with age related decrease in female reproductive outcome.

Conclusions: The aging process is complex, driven by a multitude of factors thought to modulate cellular and organism life span. Although the factors responsible for diminished oocyte quality remain to be elucidated, the present review focuses on the potential role of impaired mitochondrial function.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mitochondrial morphology in oocytes of primordial follicles. a Primordial follicle of neonatal (day 4) murine ovary. Oocytes of primordial follicle, showing clustering of mitochondria in a half/moon shape around nucleus. b Magnified image of mitochondrial ultrastructure with loosely defined cristae and round or pear like mitochondrial shape
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Breakdown of Balbiani body (arrow) observed in neonatal (day 4) murine oocyte. Golgi apparatus is surrounding centrally located vesicles,which are components of Balbiani body
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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