New research provides insight about the reason mitochondria — the powerhouse of the cell — pass only from the mother. Scientists have long recognized the fact that mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, comes exclusively from egg cells in humans, meaning only the mother contributes the genetic code carried by thousands of mitochondria necessary for energy production in every cell in the body.
Previously, it was believed that paternal mtDNA was eliminated soon after a sperm fuses with an oocyte, or developing egg, during fertilization, possibly through an immune-like search-and-destroy response.
However, the study found that while mature sperm do carry a small number of mitochondria, they lack intact mtDNA.
“We found that each sperm cell ...
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