Human Reproduction, Vol. 17, No. 2, 393-406,
February 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Domains of high-polarized and low-polarized mitochondria may occur in mouse and human oocytes and early embryos
1 Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 and 2 Colorado Reproductive Endocrinology, Rose Medical Center, Denver, CO 80220, USA
BACKGROUND: The magnitude of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (
m) appears to influence the level of certain mitochondrial activities including regulation of ionic fluxes and ATP liberation, activities that are often compartmentalized or location dependent in cells. Recent evidence suggests that within cells, mitochondria can be heterogeneous with respect to m, and that high-polarized mitochondria (high m) may occur in the subplasmalemmal cytoplasm where intercellular contact is absent. Here, we investigated whether m in oocytes and preimplantation embryos was heterogeneous and cell contact-associated. METHODS: Mouse and human oocytes and preimplantation stage embryos stained with mitochondria-specific probes rhodamine 123, MitoTracker Orange, and the m-sensitive probe JC-1, (5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1,3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazoylcarbocyanine iodide), were examined by epifluorescence, scanning laser confocal, and transmission electron microscopy. The possibility that intercellular contact and m are associated was examined for oocytes, where transzonal coronal cell contacts were terminated naturally or experimentally, and for intact, disaggregated, and reconstructed cleavage stage mouse embryos. RESULTS: For both oocytes and embryos, clusters of apparently high-polarized mitochondria occur in the pericortical cytoplasm in regions free from intercellular contact. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that mitochondria in oocytes and preimplantation embryos may be heterogeneous with respect to m. We propose that high-polarized pericortical mitochondria may have a role in the acquisition of oocyte competence and the regulation of early developmental processes that may be associated with elevated metabolism or intracellular signalling through calcium-induced calcium release pathways.
Key words: JC-1 and J-aggregate/mitochondrial polarization/mitochondrial heterogeneity/oocytes/preimplantation embryos
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: vanblerkom{at}spot.colorado.edu
Submitted on February 19, 2001; resubmitted on August 17, 2001
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  J. E. Swain and T. B. Pool ART failure: oocyte contributions to unsuccessful fertilization Hum. Reprod. Update, September 1, 2008; 14(5): 431 - 446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Van Blerkom, P. Davis, and V. Thalhammer Regulation of mitochondrial polarity in mouse and human oocytes: the influence of cumulus derived nitric oxide Mol. Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2008; 14(8): 431 - 444. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R.W. Browne, W.B. Shelly, M.S. Bloom, A.J. Ocque, J.R. Sandler, H.G. Huddleston, and V.Y. Fujimoto Distributions of high-density lipoprotein particle components in human follicular fluid and sera and their associations with embryo morphology parameters during IVF Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2008; 23(8): 1884 - 1894. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. Basu, R. Desai, J Balaji, R. Chaerkady, V Sriram, S. Maiti, and M. M Panicker Serotonin in pre-implantation mouse embryos is localized to the mitochondria and can modulate mitochondrial potential Reproduction, May 1, 2008; 135(5): 657 - 669. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Van Blerkom and P. Davis Mitochondrial signaling and fertilization Mol. Hum. Reprod., November 1, 2007; 13(11): 759 - 770. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.A. Nottola, G. Macchiarelli, G. Coticchio, S. Bianchi, S. Cecconi, L. De Santis, G. Scaravelli, C. Flamigni, and A. Borini Ultrastructure of human mature oocytes after slow cooling cryopreservation using different sucrose concentrations Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2007; 22(4): 1123 - 1133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. C. Spikings, J. Alderson, and J. C. St. John Regulated Mitochondrial DNA Replication During Oocyte Maturation Is Essential for Successful Porcine Embryonic Development Biol Reprod, February 1, 2007; 76(2): 327 - 335. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R G Sturmey, P J O'Toole, and H J Leese Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis of mitochondrial:lipid association in the porcine oocyte. Reproduction, December 1, 2006; 132(6): 829 - 837. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E.C. Spikings, J. Alderson, and J.C.St. John Transmission of mitochondrial DNA following assisted reproduction and nuclear transfer Hum. Reprod. Update, July 1, 2006; 12(4): 401 - 415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Van Blerkom, H. Cox, and P. Davis Regulatory roles for mitochondria in the peri-implantation mouse blastocyst: possible origins and developmental significance of differential {Delta}{Psi}m. Reproduction, May 1, 2006; 131(5): 961 - 976. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
ESHRE Capri Workshop Group Fertility and ageing Hum. Reprod. Update, May 1, 2005; 11(3): 261 - 276. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. A. Thouas, A. O. Trounson, E. J. Wolvetang, and G. M. Jones Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mouse Oocytes Results in Preimplantation Embryo Arrest in Vitro Biol Reprod, December 1, 2004; 71(6): 1936 - 1942. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Van Blerkom Mitochondria in human oogenesis and preimplantation embryogenesis: engines of metabolism, ionic regulation and developmental competence Reproduction, September 1, 2004; 128(3): 269 - 280. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Jurisicova and B. M Acton Deadly decisions: the role of genes regulating programmed cell death in human preimplantation embryo development Reproduction, September 1, 2004; 128(3): 281 - 291. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Ebner, M. Moser, M. Sommergruber, K. Jesacher, and G. Tews Complete oocyte activation failure after ICSI can be overcome by a modified injection technique Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2004; 19(8): 1837 - 1841. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Jones, J. Van Blerkom, P. Davis, and A. A. Toledo Cryopreservation of metaphase II human oocytes effects mitochondrial membrane potential: implications for developmental competence Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2004; 19(8): 1861 - 1866. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Dumollard, P. Marangos, G. Fitzharris, K. Swann, M. Duchen, and J. Carroll Sperm-triggered [Ca2+] oscillations and Ca2+ homeostasis in the mouse egg have an absolute requirement for mitochondrial ATP production Development, July 1, 2004; 131(13): 3057 - 3067. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Tosti and R. Boni Electrical events during gamete maturation and fertilization in animals and humans Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2004; 10(1): 53 - 65. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B.M. Acton, A. Jurisicova, I. Jurisica, and R.F. Casper Alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential during preimplantation stages of mouse and human embryo development Mol. Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2004; 10(1): 23 - 32. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Dumollard, J. Carroll, G. Dupont, and C. Sardet Calcium wave pacemakers in eggs J. Cell Sci., September 15, 2002; 115(18): 3557 - 3564. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|