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Review
. 2017 Mar;9(1):29-38.

Mitochondria in oocyte aging: current understanding

D Zhang  1   2 , D Keilty  3 , Z F Zhang  1   2 , R C Chian  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Mitochondria in oocyte aging: current understanding

D Zhang et al. Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

The oocyte is the largest cell found in multicellular organisms. Mitochondria, as the energy factories for cells, are found in high numbers in oocytes, as they provide the energy for oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo formation via oxidative phosphorylation. Failure of assisted reproduction is mainly attributed to oocyte aging and increased aneuploidy. As the most numerous organelle in the oocyte, the mitochondrion has been confirmed as a crucial player in the process of oocyte aging, which is highly influenced by mitochondrion dysfunction. Every mitochondrion contains one or more mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule, which, at about 16.5 KD in length, encodes 13 proteins. In this review, we discuss the function of mitochondria and the relationship between mtDNA and oocyte aging. We also discuss technologies that aim to enhance oocyte developmental potential and delay ovarian aging.

Keywords: Oocyte; aging; embryo; mitochondria; mtDNA.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
— Mitochondrial structure. A cross-sectional view of a mitochondrial tubule reveals four distinct parts: an intermembrane space between an outer membrane and inner membrane, and a compartment enclosed by the inner membrane called the matrix. Within the matrix, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are attached to the inner membrane.
Figure 2
Figure 2
— Mitochondrial genome. The mitochondrial genome encodes 13 of the subunits of the electron transfer chain. These include 7 subunits of Complex I, 1 subunit of Complex III, 3 subunits of Complex IV and 2 subunits of ATP synthase. The mitochondrial genome encodes the core complexes for cellular respiration: 2 subunits of ATP synthase, 3 subunits of Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase), 1 subunit of Complex III (cytochrome b), and seven subunits of complex I.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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