title: Mitochondria and human preimplantation embryo development.
abstract: Human reproduction, like all biological systems, is characterised by a large level of variability. In this field, the variability is observed as a large difference in implantation potential of human embryos developing in vitro, despite similarities in observable parameters such as rate of development and morphology of these embryos. One of the underlying factors that determines developmental potential in these embryos is the availability of energy in the form of ATP for development. Here, we suggest that, despite the evidence suggesting that mitochondrial metabolism is relatively inactive during preimplantation embryo development, aerobic (mitochondrial) metabolism contributes a major role in the supply of ATP. A second pathway, anaerobic respiration, is also active and the two pathways work in synchrony to supply all the ATP necessary. We discuss the differences in the two forms of energy production and suggest that, although anaerobic respiration can supplement deficiencies in the energy supply in the short term, this is not sufficient to substitute for aerobic respiration over long periods. Therefore, we suggest that deficiencies in the levels of aerobic respiration can explain variability in the implantation potential of apparently equivalent embryos.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Biology, Clinica Villa del Sole, Via Manzoni 15, Naples, Italy. martinwilding@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilding
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Matteo
mesh_terms: D019069:Cell Respiration; D047108:Embryonic Development; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology