title: Mitochondria: participation to infertility as source of energy and cause of senescence.
abstract: Mitochondria is a powerhouse organelle involved in ATP synthesis, calcium signaling, reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress production, cell cycle arrest via apoptosis and sex steroid hormones biosynthesis. Improvement of sperm parameters such as motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and oocyte interaction, involve regulation of ROS levels by the mitochondria. In human, the relation between the quantitative level of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), oocyte cytoplasm maturation and fertilization potential, is not clear. It has been hypothesized that oocytes without sufficient wild type mtDNA and therefore able to generate ATP, would not normally be ovulated. This is reflected in the low numbers of mtDNA observed in degenerate oocytes obtained through super ovulation protocols during assisted reproductive technology programs. Different theories place mitochondria in a central role of oxidative damage to cells and tissues related to infertility declining and aging. Mitochondria-dependent apoptosis seems to be responsible for the pre and post-natal decline in germ cells, embryo development, implantation failure, and miscarriages.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine & Medical Cytogenetics, Centre of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional University Hospital and School of Medicine. Picardie University Jules Verne, Amiens, France. Electronic address: benkhalifamoncef78@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Moncef
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benkhalifa
authors.affiliation: Fertilys Inc., Laval, Québec QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Yannick J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Andrology unit, ForteBio Laboratory, Dax, France.
authors.forename: Hikmat
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chahine
authors.affiliation: IVF & Genetics Laboratory, LaboMac, Clinique des Iris, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Noureddine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Louanjli
authors.affiliation: Fertilys Inc., Laval, Québec QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Miron
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine & Medical Cytogenetics, Centre of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional University Hospital and School of Medicine. Picardie University Jules Verne, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merviel
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine & Medical Cytogenetics, Centre of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional University Hospital and School of Medicine. Picardie University Jules Verne, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Copin
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: Fertility potential; Infertility; Mitochondria; Reactive oxygen species; Reproductive pathology