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Mol. Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on November 19, 2008
Molecular Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/molehr/gan065
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Metabolism of the viable mammalian embryo: quietness revisited

Henry J. Leese1,4, Christoph G. Baumann1, Daniel R. Brison2, Tom G. McEvoy3 and Roger G. Sturmey1

1Department of Biology (Area 3) and Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK 2Department of Reproductive Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, M13 OJH 3SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG

4 Correspondence email address: hjl1{at}york.ac.uk

This review examines the Quiet Embryo Hypothesis which proposes that viable preimplantation embryos operate at metabolite or nutrient turnover rates distributed within lower ranges than those of their less viable counterparts. The ‘quieter’ metabolism consistent with this hypothesis is considered in terms of (i) ‘functional’ quietness; the contrasting levels of intrinsic metabolic activity in different cell types as a consequence of their specialised functions (ii) inter-individual cell/embryo differences in metabolism and (iii) loss of quietness in response to environmental stress. Data are reviewed which indicate that gametes and early embryos function in vivo at a lower temperature than core body temperature, which could encourage the expression of a quiet metabolism. We call for research to determine the optimum temperature for mammalian gamete/embryo culture. The review concludes by examining the key role of Reactive Oxygen Species, which can induce molecular damage, trigger a cellular stress response and lead to a loss of quietness.

Submitted on September 3, 2008; resubmitted on October 31, 2008; accepted on November 2, 2008.


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