Human granulosa luteal cell oxidative phosphorylation function is not affected by age or ovarian response

Objective: To safely prepare a functional autologous mitochondrial concentrate (MC) from follicular fluid (FF) cells, and to determine the effect of age and ovarian response on the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Design: The nontoxicity of the MC was confirmed in human and mouse oocytes. The OXPHOS function was assessed by measuring the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in comparison with citrate synthase. The integrity of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Setting: Tertiary hospital. Patient(s): A total of 40 patients undergoing IVF of heterogeneous ages and ovarian response. Animal(s): Superovulated 8- to 12-week-old female B6C3F1 mice. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): A system for the preparation of functional nontoxic MC was established. The correlation between the mitochondrial mass and function to age and ovarian response was calculated. The integrity of mtDNA was demonstrated. Result(s): After injection into mouse oocytes, the MC did not interfere with parthenogenetic development. The MC OXPHOS function was intact. Total activity of SDH and COX was in correlation with the retrieved oocytes number, and in reverse correlation with age. However, after correction to the mitochondrial mass, COX and SDH activities were constant, unaffected by age or ovarian response. The mtDNA was intact in all samples, regardless of age and ovarian response. Conclusion(s): The function of the respiratory chain in mitochondria of FF cells is constant, unaffected by age or ovarian response. (Fertil Steril (R) 2012. (C) 2012 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)