METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR ENHANCING DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL OF OOCYTES AND PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS

摘要

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing the developmental potential of oocytes or preimplantation embryos by modulating mitochondrial-associated proteins and/or genomic integrity modifier proteins in oocytes or preimplantation embryos. Preferred embodiments for the mitochondrial-associated proteins are members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. RecA family proteins, including Rad51 are preferred for the genomic integrity modifier proteins. In one aspect of the invention, the levels of one or more mitochondrial-associated proteins and/or genomic integrity modifier proteins are increased, in particular by introducing the mitochondrial-associated proteins and/or genomic integrity modifier proteins into the oocytes or preimplantation embryos. Oocytes may be fertilized to obtain a zygote with increased levels of one or more mitochondrial-associated proteins and/or genomic integrity modifier proteins. The methods and compositions may be used to improve in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer methods, and nuclear transfer techniques.