Oxidative metabolism of pyruvate is required for meiotic maturation of murine oocytes in vivo

Abstract

The requirement for oxidative metabolism of pyruvate during oogenesis in vivo was evaluated by inactivating Pdha1, a gene encoding an enzymatic subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, in murine oocytes at the beginning of the follicular growth phase. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Pdha1 - oocytes have dramatically reduced amounts of pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme by the secondary follicle stage. Despite this reduction, these oocytes grow to normal size, are ovulated, and can be fertilized. Pdha1- oocytes are, however, impaired in their ability to support embryonic development, as demonstrated by the failure of fertilized oocytes to develop beyond the one-cell zygote stage in vi..