Correlation of the Mitochondrial Activity of Two‐Cell Embryos Produced In Vitro and the Two‐Cell Block In Kunming and B6C3F1 Mice

Abstract

The correlation between the early embryonic block to development and mitochondrial activity was investigated comparing two-cell embryos produced in vitro from Kunming (KM) and B6C3F1 mice. One-cell embryos were obtained from two species of hybrids (female KM mice mated with KM males and female B6C3F1 mice mated with KM males) and cultured for 84 hr in M16 media. The mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP content, and reactive oxygen species levels were measured in the resulting KM and B6C3F1 two-cell embryos. Mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content were also determined in KM and B6C3F1 metaphase II eggs. The results showed that the two-cell block was observed in cultured KM embryos but not in B6C3F1 embryos. Mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content of KM two-cell embryos were significantly lower than in B6C3F1 two-cell embryos (P < 0.01). Interestingly, the reactive oxygen species levels of KM two-cell embryos were significantly lower than their B6C3F1 counterparts (P < 0.01). There was no difference in mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content between KM and B6C3F1 metaphase II eggs. It is concluded that KM mice have an early twocell embryo block and that a possible ''blocking'' mechanism is the lower mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content in these embryos. The results suggest a new approach for overcoming early embryonic development block, that of manipulating mitochondrial activity. Anat Rec, 292:661-669, 2009. V V C 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Comparison of the Oocyte Quality Derived from Two-Dimensional Follicle Culture Methods and Developmental Competence of In Vitro Grown and Matured Oocytes

“…Therefore, we suggest that massive production of ROS might cause decreased mitochondrial activity and negatively influence preimplantation embryonic development. According to a previous studies, mitochondrial activity is correlated with two-cell blocks, and the use of mitochondrial nutrients, such as coenzyme Q10, could improve the outcome of infertility treatment in older patients [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Mitochondria in early development: linking the microenvironment, metabolism and the epigenome

“…Although subtle species differences exist, significant mitochondrial (re)distribution occurs in the developing oocyte (Takahashi et al 2016), with distinct patterns of localisation in pronuclear oocytes and early cleavage stage embryos correlated with developmental potential (Wang et al 2009c, Igosheva et al 2010, Yu et al 2010. In mouse and human oocytes, highly polarised mitochondria cluster around the oocyte cortex (Van Blerkom et al 2003, Van Blerkom & Davis 2006, proposed to maintain sufficient ATP for fertilisation, but also to support Ca 2+ regulation upon fertilisation.…”

Nutrients, Mitochondrial Function, and Perinatal Health

“…Mitochondrial location also changes considerably throughout the development of the early embryo [ 6 ]. This mitochondrial trafficking transports the mitochondria to high energy demand sites (e.g., in pronuclear oocytes and early cleavage stage embryos, during the blastocyst stage, the embryo exhibits high levels of both glycolysis and oxygen (O2) consumption [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]), facilitates communication and interaction with other organelles to support embryonic development, and maintains metabolites and signaling gradients with the nucleus. Adequate communication between the mitochondria, the nucleus, and other organelles promotes cellular homeostasis in the developing embryo.…”