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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Role of the mitochondrial genome in preimplantation development and assisted reproductive technologies

Lawrence C. Smith A B , Jacob Thundathil A and France Filion A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale (CRRA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada.

B Corresponding author. Email: smithl@medvet.umontreal.ca

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 17(2) 15-22 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD04084
Submitted: 1 August 2004  Accepted: 1 October 2004   Published: 1 January 2005

Abstract

Our fascination for mitochondria relates to their origin as symbiotic, semi-independent organisms on which we, as eukaryotic beings, rely nearly exclusively to produce energy for every cell function. Therefore, it is not surprising that these organelles play an essential role in many events during early development and in artificial reproductive technologies (ARTs) applied to humans and domestic animals. However, much needs to be learned about the interactions between the nucleus and the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA), particularly with respect to the control of transcription, replication and segregation during preimplantation. Nuclear-encoded factors that control transcription and replication are expressed during preimplantation development in mice and are followed by mtDNA transcription, but these result in no change in mtDNA copy number. However, in cattle, mtDNA copy number increases during blastocyst expansion and hatching. Nuclear genes influence the mtDNA segregation patterns in heteroplasmic animals. Because many ARTs markedly modify the mtDNA content in embryos, it is essential that their application is preceded by careful experimental scrutiny, using suitable animal models.


References

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PubMed | Thundathil J., Filion F., and Smith L. C. (2004). Nuclear control of mitochondrial function in preimplantation mouse embryos. Biol. Reprod. 71, 548. [Abstract]

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Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | Yamazaki W., Meirelles F. V., Bordignon V., Garcia J. M., and Smith L. C. (1999). Effect of mitochondrial DNA on the development of mouse embryos reconstructed by cytoplast transfer. In ‘XIII Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Embryo Transfer, Atibaia, Brazil. 9–11 August 1999’. p. A22. (SBTE Publishers: São Paulo, Brazil.)