Mitochondrial Transfer from Mouse Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Aged Mouse Oocytes

Due to the decline in the quantity and quality of oocytes related to age, the fertility of women over 35 years of age has declined sharply. The molecular mechanisms that maintain oocyte quality remain unclear, thus it is difficult to increase the birth rate of women over 35 years old at present. Oocytes contain more mitochondria than any type of cell in the body, and any mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to reduced oocyte quality. In the 1990s, oocyte cytoplasmic transfer resulted in great success in human reproduction but was accompanied by ethical controversies. Autologous mitochondrial transplantation is expected to be a useful technique to increase the quality of oocytes that have decreased due to age. In the present study, we used adipose-derived stem cells from aged mice as a mitochondria donor to increase the quality of oocytes of aged mice. Further development of autologous mitochondrial transfer technology will provide a new and effective treatment for infertility in aged women.