Mitochondrial deletions in luteinized granulosa cells as a function of age in women undergoing in vitro fertilization

Objective: To test the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions are more prevalent in granulosa cells from women of advanced reproductive age than from younger women undergoing IVF. Design: Granulosa cells screened for presence or absence of the 4977-bp deletion in human mtDNA. Setting: University-based fertility clinic. Patient(s): Twenty-four women divided equally between two groups: less than or equal to34 years old and greater than or equal to38 years old. Intervention(s): Patients were given gonadotropin stimulation in preparation for IVF with granulosa cells isolated at the time of follicular aspiration. Main Outcome Measure(s): Presence or absence of the 4977-bp deletion in human mtDNA. Result(s): Seven out of 12 women analyzed who were <38 years old and 0 out of 12 women who were >38 years old had normal nuDNA as indicated by the presence of the 4977-bp fragment. Conclusion(s): These data suggest that women over the age of 38 have granulosa cells that contain a substantial decrease in the level of normal mitochondria as compared with women less than or equal to34 years.