Spatiotemporal Distribution and Function of Mitochondria in Oocytes
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Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Studying Mitochondrial Structure and Function in Drosophila Ovaries
Published on: January 4, 2017
Xin Kang1,2,3,4,5, Liying Yan1,2, Jing Wang6,7,8,9,10
1Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
Abstract:
Mitochondria are energy provider organelles in eukaryotic cells that contain their own specific genome. This review addresses structural and functional properties of mitochondria, focusing on recent discoveries about the changes in quality and number of mitochondria per cell during oocyte development. We highlight how oocyte mitochondria exhibit stage-specific morphology and characteristics at different stages of development, in sharp contrast to the elongated mitochondria present in somatic cells. We then evaluate the latest transcriptomic data to elucidate the complex functions of mitochondria during oocyte maturation and the impact of mitochondria on oocyte development. Finally, we describe the methodological progress of mitochondrial replacement therapy to rescue oocytes with developmental disorders or mitochondrial diseases, hoping to provide a guiding reference to future clinical applications.
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