Ultrastructure and mitochondrial numbers in pre- and postpubertal pig oocytes

Spatiotemporal Distribution and Function of Mitochondria in Oocytes

Mitochondria are energy provider organelles in eukaryotic cells that contain their own specific genome. This review addresses structural and functional properties of mitochondria, focusing on recent discoveries about the changes in quality and number of mitochondria per cell during oocyte development. We highlight how oocyte mitochondria exhibit stage-specific morphology and characteristics at different stages of development, in sharp contrast to the elongated mitochondria present in somatic cells. We then evaluate the latest transcriptomic data to elucidate the complex functions of mitochondria during oocyte maturation and the impact of mitochondria on oocyte development. Finally, we describe the methodological progress of mitochondrial replacement therapy to rescue oocytes with developmental disorders or mitochondrial diseases, hoping to provide a guiding reference to future clinical applications.

Effects of electromagnetic waves on oocyte maturation and embryonic development in pigs

Our living environment has been full of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) due to the prevailing electronic devices and equipment. Intermediate frequency electromagnetic field (IF-EMF) or waves constitute a significant part of EMR; therefore, an increasing number of household electrical appliances have become a source of IF-EMF, and concerns about IF-EMF on health are gaining more attention. However, little information is available about its impact on female reproductive traits, such as germ cell viability and early embryonic development, particularly at the cellular and molecular levels. In this study, we used porcine oocytes as a model system to explore the effect of IF-EMF at various intensities on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes and their subsequent embryonic development. Our results showed that no difference in oocyte maturation rates was detected among groups, but the cleavage and blastocyst rates of parthenotes derived from EMF-treated oocytes decreased with the weaker IF-EMF intensity (25 and 50 Gauss, G) groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). For cytoplasmic maturation, the weaker IF-EMF intensity groups also showed a peripheral pattern of mitochondrial distribution resembling that of immature oocytes and increased autophagy activity. No obvious differences in cytoskeletal distribution and total cell numbers of blastocysts were investigated in the four IF-EMF treatments compared to those in the control group. Although the underlying mechanism associated with EMF effects on oocytes and embryos is still elusive, we have demonstrated that low intensity IF-EMF exerts harmful effects on porcine oocytes during the maturation stage, carrying over such effects to their subsequent embryonic development.

The Role of Oocyte Organelles in Determining Developmental Competence

The ability of an oocyte to undergo successful cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation, fertilization and embryo development is referred to as the oocyte’s quality or developmental competence. Quality is dependent on the accumulation of organelles, metabolites and maternal RNAs during the growth and maturation of the oocyte. Various models of good and poor oocyte quality have been used to understand the essential contributors to developmental success. This review covers the current knowledge of how oocyte organelle quantity, distribution and morphology differ between good and poor quality oocytes. The models of oocyte quality are also described and their usefulness for studying the intrinsic quality of an oocyte discussed. Understanding the key critical features of cytoplasmic organelles and metabolites driving oocyte quality will lead to methods for identifying high quality oocytes and improving oocyte competence, both in vitro and in vivo.

Porcine oocyte mtDNA copy number is high or low depending on the donor

Oocyte capacity is relevant in understanding decreasing female fertility and in the use of assisted reproductive technologies in human and farm animals. Mitochondria are important to the development of a functionally good oocyte and the oocyte mtDNA copy number has been introduced as a useful parameter for prediction of oocyte competence. The aim of this study was to investigate: (i) if the oocyte donor has an influence on its oocyte's mtDNA copy number; and (ii) the relation between oocyte size and mtDNA copy number using pre- and postpubertal pig oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from individual donor pigs. The oocytes were allocated into different size-groups, snap-frozen and single-oocyte mtDNA copy number was estimated by quantitative real-time PCR using the genes ND1 and COX1. Results showed that mean mtDNA copy number in oocytes from any individual donor could be categorized as either 'high' (≥100,000) or 'low' (<100,000) with no difference in threshold between pre- and postpubertal oocytes. No linear correlation was detected between oocyte size and mtDNA copy number within pre- and postpubertal oocytes. This study demonstrates the importance of the oocyte donor in relation to oocyte mtDNA copy number, irrespectively of the donor's puberty status and the oocyte's growth stage. Observations from this study facilitate both further investigations of the importance of mtDNA copy number and the unravelling of relations between different mitochondrial parameters and oocyte competence.