Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 11, 2429-2440,
November 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Inner mitochondrial membrane potential (
m), cytoplasmic ATP content and free Ca2+ levels in metaphase II mouse oocytes
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
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: vanblerk{at}spot.colorado.edu
BACKGROUND: The relative magnitude of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (
m) has been suggested to indicate the competence of mammalian gametes and early embryos. This study examined the response of cultured somatic cells and mouse oocytes to inhibitors and conditions that affect 
m or metabolism, or both, and measured treatment-specific changes in ATP and cytoplasmic free Ca2+. METHODS: During and after treatment, relative 
m, free Ca2+, and ATP levels and cortical granule density were determined. RESULTS: Comparable responses of somatic cells and metaphase II mouse oocytes to experimental manipulations that affect 
m and metabolism were observed and reversible loss of 
m was associated with increased intracellular free Ca2+, which in certain instances resulted in parthenogenetic activation. CONCLUSION: The findings support a mitochondrial basis for pericortical J-aggregate fluorescence but not for a direct association between high 
m and metabolism. The results extend previous findings indicating that high-polarized (high 
m, JC-1 J-aggregate-forming) mitochondria occur in pericortical domains in mouse and human oocytes and early preimplantation stage embryos and support the notion that this spatial distribution may be related to localized ionic and metabolic regulation.
Key words: 
m/intracellular free Ca2/metabolism/mitochondria/oocyte
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