Mitochondria are known as the “powerhouses” of the cell, but their role in reproduction goes far beyond energy production. Especially in egg cells, they are not just important—they are decisive. Without healthy and functional mitochondria, an egg cell cannot mature properly, be fertilized successfully, or support embryonic development in its earliest stages. What do mitochondria[…]

Every day, our body produces billions of energy molecules—ATP—thanks to mitochondria. But this process goes hand in hand with the formation of so-called free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS). They are like fire: in the right amount they warm and drive processes forward, but in excess they can burn everything in their path. In[…]

Each of our cells contains hundreds, even thousands of mitochondria—the small energy “power plants” of the body. Interestingly, they are not always identical. Some mitochondria may carry completely healthy mitochondrial DNA, while others have minor mutations or structural damage. This phenomenon is called mitochondrial heteroplasmy. What does this mean in practice? When mitochondria within the[…]