Gene expression profiles of pigs derived from mitochondrial supplementation

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in oocytes correlates with oocyte quality and fertilisation outcome. The introduction of additional copies of mtDNA through mitochondrial supplementation of mtDNA-deficient Sus scrofa oocytes resulted in: (1) improved rates of fertilisation; (2) increased mtDNA copy number in the 2-cell stage embryo; and (3) improved development of the embryo to the blastocyst stage. It remains to be determined whether additional copies of mtDNA that are introduced into the oocyte at the time of fertilisation would impact on offspring development, health and well-being. Here, we investigated the gene expression profiles of various tissues from pigs derived from mitochondrial supplementation.