Domains of high-polarized and low-polarized mitochondria may occur in mouse and human oocytes and early embryos

Abstract

The findings suggest that mitochondria in oocytes and preimplantation embryos may be heterogeneous with respect to deltapsim. We propose that high-polarized pericortical mitochondria may have a role in the acquisition of oocyte competence and the regulation of early developmental processes that may be associated with elevated metabolism or intracellular signalling through calcium-induced calcium release pathways.