calcimycin and 5-5--6-6--tetrachloro-1-1--3-3--tetraethylbenzimidazolocarbocyanine

The relative magnitude of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) has been suggested to indicate the competence of mammalian gametes and early embryos. This study examined the response of cultured somatic cells and mouse oocytes to inhibitors and conditions that affect DeltaPsim or metabolism, or both, and measured treatment-specific changes in ATP and cytoplasmic free Ca(2+).. During and after treatment, relative DeltaPsim, free Ca(2+), and ATP levels and cortical granule density were determined.. Comparable responses of somatic cells and metaphase II mouse oocytes to experimental manipulations that affect DeltaPsim and metabolism were observed and reversible loss of DeltaPsim was associated with increased intracellular free Ca(2+), which in certain instances resulted in parthenogenetic activation.. The findings support a mitochondrial basis for pericortical J-aggregate fluorescence but not for a direct association between high DeltaPsim and metabolism. The results extend previous findings indicating that high-polarized (high DeltaPsim, JC-1 J-aggregate-forming) mitochondria occur in pericortical domains in mouse and human oocytes and early preimplantation stage embryos and support the notion that this spatial distribution may be related to localized ionic and metabolic regulation.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Benzimidazoles; Bongkrekic Acid; Calcimycin; Calcium; Carbocyanines; Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone; Cells, Cultured; Cytoplasm; Exocytosis; Fibroblasts; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Intracellular Membranes; Ionophores; Membrane Potentials; Metaphase; Mice; Mitochondria; Oligomycins; Oocytes; Temperature