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Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
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Mitochondrial DNA content in eggs as a maternal effect.

Sin-Yeon Kim1, Violette Chiara1, Náyade Álvarez-Quintero1

  • 1Grupo Ecoloxía Animal, Torre CACTI, Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|January 19, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Mothers can adjust mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in eggs, influencing offspring growth and survival. This maternal effect, linked to environmental conditions, highlights a new layer of adaptive inheritance.

Keywords:
maternal effectmitochondriamtDNAoocytestickleback

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is crucial for avoiding detrimental mutations.
  • Oocyte mtDNA content may mediate adaptive maternal effects based on environmental cues or maternal condition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between oocyte mtDNA abundance and offspring development in three-spined sticklebacks.
  • To examine the interactive effects of oocyte mtDNA and sperm DNA damage on offspring viability.
  • To determine how environmental factors influence oocyte mtDNA levels.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of mtDNA content in oocytes.
  • Assessment of somatic growth and mortality in offspring.
  • Analysis of sperm DNA oxidative damage and fertility.
  • Correlation of oocyte mtDNA levels with breeding season timing and water temperature.

Main Results:

  • Increased oocyte mtDNA abundance correlated with faster early somatic growth but higher offspring mortality.
  • Sperm DNA damage negatively impacted fertility; no interaction with oocyte mtDNA was found.
  • Oocyte mtDNA levels increased later in the breeding season and in response to warmer winter temperatures.

Conclusions:

  • Oocyte mtDNA levels are context-dependent, potentially reflecting anticipated offspring energy demands.
  • Maternal control over oocyte mtDNA provides a mechanism for adaptive maternal effects influencing offspring development and viability.