Why do older women have poor implantation rates? A possible role of the mitochondria.
Mitochondria are organelles responsible for oxidative phosphorylation, the main energy source for all eukaryotic cells. In oocytes and embryos, it seems that mitochondria provide sufficient energy for fecundation by supporting spindle formation during meiosis II, and for implantation. Since mitochondria are inherited from mother to child, it is important that oocyte mitochondria should be intact. Older women seem to have more mitochondrial DNA mutations, which can be responsible for poor implantation and aneuploidy, two conditions that occur more often in this group. In the present report we propose a new model to explain why older women have poor implantation rates.
Bartmann
Ana Karina
AK
Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Service of Human Reproduction, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. anabartmann@ig.com.br
Romão
Gustavo Salata
GS
Ramos
Ester da Silveira
Eda S
Ferriani
Rui Alberto
RA
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000782:Aneuploidy; D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial