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Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Mouse Oocyte Microinjection, Maturation and Ploidy Assessment
Published on: July 23, 2011
Exposing Mouse Oocytes to MitoQ During In Vitro Maturation Improves Maturation and Developmental Competence
Maryam Hosseinzadeh Shirzeyli1, Fardin Amidi2, Mehdi Shamsara3
1Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background And Purpose:
Mitochondrion is the main indicator of oocyte quality and one of the components of oocyte, which is sensitive to oxidative damage during the maturation process. Mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ) is a strong antioxidant targeting mitochondria as well as anti-apoptotic agent. However, the effect of MitoQ on the quality of oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM) is still unknown.
Objectives:
This study investigated the possible effects of MitoQ on maturation and developmental competency in mice oocytes.
Materials And Methods:
The oocytes were collected at germinal vesicle stage from 6-8-week old female NMRI mice and then cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04 µM MitoQ. The sham group was treated with DMSO (0.01% v.v). Then intracellular Glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), as well as in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate in the 18-20 h matured oocytes and metaphase II (MII) oocytes (in vivo-control), were assessed.
Results:
The results showed that between three dose of MitoQ, the 0.02 µM significantly increased nuclear maturation rate, GSH level, fertilization rate and blastulation (92.6, 231.7, 90.19 and 81.66%, respectively) than the in vitro-control (71.14, 152, 78.84 and 73.50%, respectively) and more comparable to that of the in vivo matured oocytes (100, 243.5, 92.10 and 83%, respectively). Also, the mitochondria membrane potential in the 0.02 µM MitoQ was significantly higher compared with those in the other groups (4.4). However, the intracellular ROS level in 0.02 µM MitoQ was significantly decreased (38.72%) compared to in vitro-control (82.2%) and was similar to the in vivo-control (33.5%).
Conclusion:
The results indicated that supplementation of IVM medium with MitoQ (specially 0.02 µM) enhance maturation and fertilization rate. In conclusion, MitoQ might be considered as a novel component that could be added to IVM media.
Insights
Mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ) supplementation significantly improved mouse oocyte maturation and fertilization rates during in vitro maturation (IVM). The optimal 0.02 µM MitoQ dose enhanced key quality indicators, suggesting its potential as a novel IVM medium additive.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Mitochondrial Medicine
Background:
- Mitochondria are crucial for oocyte quality and susceptible to oxidative damage during maturation.
- Mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ) is a potent antioxidant and anti-apoptotic agent targeting mitochondria.
- The impact of MitoQ on oocyte quality during in vitro maturation (IVM) remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MitoQ on the maturation and developmental competence of mouse oocytes.
- To evaluate MitoQ's potential to improve oocyte quality during IVM.
Main Methods:
- Mouse oocytes (germinal vesicle stage) were cultured in TCM-199 medium with varying MitoQ concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04 µM) or DMSO (sham).
- Assessed parameters included intracellular Glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates.
- Comparisons were made between treated groups, in vitro controls, and in vivo matured oocytes.
Main Results:
- The 0.02 µM MitoQ group showed significantly enhanced nuclear maturation (92.6%), GSH levels (231.7%), fertilization rates (90.19%), and blastulation (81.66%) compared to in vitro controls.
- MitoQ at 0.02 µM significantly increased mitochondrial membrane potential and markedly decreased intracellular ROS levels.
- These improvements were comparable to in vivo matured oocytes.
Conclusions:
- Supplementation of IVM medium with MitoQ, particularly at 0.02 µM, enhances oocyte maturation and fertilization rates.
- MitoQ demonstrates potential as a beneficial additive for IVM media to improve oocyte quality.
