Reproductive options in mitochondrial disease

Abstract

Mitochondrial diseases require customized approaches for reproductive counseling, addressing differences in recurrence risks and reproductive options. The majority of mitochondrial diseases is caused by mutations in nuclear genes and segregate in a Mendelian way. Prenatal diagnosis (PND) or preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) are available to prevent the birth of another severely affected child. In at least 15%-25% of cases, mitochondrial diseases are caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, which can occur de novo (25%) or be maternally inherited. For de novo mtDNA mutations, the recurrence risk is low and PND can be offered for reassurance. For maternally inherited, heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations, the recurrence risk is often unpredictable, due to the mitochondrial bottleneck. PND for mtDNA mutations is technically possible, but often not applicable given limitations in predicting the phenotype. Another option for preventing the transmission of mtDNA diseases is PGT. Embryos with mutant load below the expression threshold are being transferred. Oocyte donation is another safe option to prevent the transmission of mtDNA disease to a future child for couples who reject PGT. Recently, mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) became available for clinical application as an alternative to prevent the transmission of heteroplasmic and homoplasmic mtDNA mutations.

Keywords: Mitochondrial bottleneck; Mitochondrial disease; Mitochondrial replacement therapy; Preimplantation genetic diagnosis; Prenatal diagnosis; Reproductive options; mtDNA disease.