Can the Supplementation of Oocytes with Extra Copies of mtDNA Impact Development Without Being Transmitted? A Molecular Account.

ABSTRACT: The introduction of extra copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), whether autologous or heterologous, into oocytes at the time of fertilisation or through other assisted reproductive technologies, such as nuclear transfer, is a contentious issue. The primary focus has been on whether third-party mtDNA is transmitted to the offspring and if it impacts offspring health and well-being. However, little attention has focused on whether the introduction of extra copies of mtDNA will interfere with the balance established between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes during oogenesis and as the developing embryo establishes its own epigenetic imprint that will influence mature offspring. Whilst we determined that sexually mature offspring generated through mtDNA supplementation did not inherit any-t

SUBMITTER: St John JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11943178 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature