Mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy after human ooplasmic transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the patterns of mitochondrial inheritance in embryos, fetuses, and infants after ooplasmic transplantation using the technique of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fingerprinting.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
The IVF program at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, a nonprofit community hospital.


METHODS
In a total of 23 cases with recurrent implantation failure after IVF ooplasmic transplantation was performed. Thirteen embryos from two patients and amniotic cells from four patients were investigated for heteroplasmy. Placenta and fetal cord blood cells from four newborn babies/infants were also investigated.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
mtDNA fingerprinting, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing analysis.


RESULTS
In addition to the recipient maternal mitochondrial DNA, a small proportion of donor mitochondrial DNA was detected in samples with the following frequencies: embryos (n = 6/13), amniocytes (n = 1/4), placenta (n = 2/4), and fetal cord blood (n = 2/4). Fingerprinting showed that nuclear DNA was not inherited from the donor in placenta or fetal cord blood of the babies.


CONCLUSIONS
Ooplasmic transfer can result in sustained mtDNA heteroplasmy representing both donor and recipient. This was shown by mtDNA fingerprinting of embryos, amniocytes, fetal placenta, and cord blood. These results show that the donor-derived mitochondrial population persists after ooplasmic transfer and may be replicated during fetal development.
Brenner
C A
CA
Gamete and Embryo Research Laboratory, The Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science of Saint Barnabas, West Orange, New Jersey 07052, USA. carol.brenner@embryos.net
Barritt
J A
JA
Willadsen
S
S
Cohen
J
J
D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000637:transplantation*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D009865:Oocytes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial