Mitochondria and early development of the mouse

Abstract

Abstract The mitochondrial morphology during oogenesis and early cleavage in the mouse have been explored by techniques of electron microscopy. The mitochondria of 1‐ and 2‐cell stages has an electron dense matrix and peripherally located cristae. At the 4‐ and 8‐cell stages the mitochondria are more diverse in form and contain vacuole‐like inclusions. The majority of the mitochondria in the morula and blastocyst stages contain transverse cristae. We have related these changes in structure to certain physiological alterations known to occur during embryogenesis in the mouse.