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Obstetrics and Gynegology2023№7
Mitochondrial DNA as a quality...

Mitochondrial DNA as a quality marker of gametes and embryos in assisted reproductive technologies programs

DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.94

Lisitsyna O.I., Dolgushina N.V., Makarova N.P., Burmenskaya O.V.

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
Mitochondria are the only cell organelles that have their own DNA. It has been shown that the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) level can vary significantly among different cell types and depend on the cell's need for energy in accordance with changing environmental conditions. Researchers consider the mtDNA level as a possible marker of the potential of gametes for fertilization, development of the embryo and its implantation.
The review presents and analyzes the domestic and foreign trials that study the mtDNA level in gametes, cumulus cells and embryos, as well as in the spent (collected after culturing the embryo) culture medium, depending on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies programs. A summary table of mtDNA studies in the spent culture medium is presented separately.
On the one hand, according to the literature, there is a trend that determines an increased potential for development, implantation, and the onset of clinical pregnancy for: embryos obtained from oocytes with an increased mtDNA level, blastocysts with a reduced mtDNA level in the cells of the trophectoderm and inner cell mass and an increased mtDNA level in the spent culture medium. On the other hand, a significant controversies remain in the literature regarding the effectiveness of mtDNA determination as an additional method for assessing the quality of gametes and embryos.
Conclusion: The question of the possibility of recommending the widespread use of mtDNA level assessment in one way or another remains unresolved. Therefore, additional large-scale well-designed studies are required.

Authors’ contributions: Dolgushina N.V., Lisitsyna O.I., Makarova N.P. – study concept and design; Lisitsyna O.I. – text writing and editing; Dolgushina N.V., Makarova N.P., Burmenskaya O.V. – text editing and publication approval.
Conflicts of interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Funding: The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment for scientific work “Solving the problem of infertility in modern conditions by developing a clinical diagnostic model of infertile marriage and using innovative technologies in assisted reproduction programs”, No. 121040600410-7.
For citation: Lisitsyna O.I., Dolgushina N.V., Makarova N.P., Burmenskaya O.V. Mitochondrial DNA as a quality marker of gametes and embryos in assisted reproductive technologies programs.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023; (7): 20-26 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.94

Keywords

extracellular DNA
mitochondria
mitochondrial DNA
spent culture medium
assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
embryo morphology
embryo quality
oocyte quality
in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Full text (in Russian)

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Received 07.04.2023

Accepted 03.07.2023

About the Authors

Olga I. Lisitsyna, postgraduate student, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, o_yazykova@inbox.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7775-3508, 4 Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia.
Nataliya V. Dolgushina, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Deputy Director, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, n_dolgushina@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1116-138X, 4 Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia.
Nataliya P. Makarova, Dr. Bio. Sci., Leading Researcher of IVF Department, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, np_makarova@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1396-7272, 4 Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia.
Olga V. Burmenskaya, Dr. Bio. Sci., Head of the Laboratory of Oncological Genetics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, o_bourmenskaya@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2842-3980, 4 Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia.

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