Apoptotic Biomarkers in Cumulus Cells in Relation to Embryo Quality in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Publisher Pubmed



Salehi E¹ ; Aflatoonian R² ; Moeini A^{2, 3, 4} ; Yamini N⁵ ; Asadi E¹ ; Khosravizadeh Z¹ ; Tarzjani MD¹ ; Harat ZN⁶ ; Abolhassani F¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Published:2017

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate associations between gene expression pattern of apoptotic biomarkers in cumulus cells of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and the quality of oocytes and embryos. Methods: 40 intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients, of whom 20 were PCOS and 20 were healthy women, were included in this study. Serum hormone levels were measured using Radioimmunoassay for each patient. The expression of survivin, caspase-3, and caspase-7 in 200 cumulus complexes surrounding mature oocytes (100 in PCOS versus 100 in control groups) collected individually at pick up was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Results: The expression levels of survivin were significantly lower in PCOS patients than those of normal women while caspase-3 and caspase-7 expression levels were higher in PCOS patients (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between the levels of these genes and embryo quality. Conclusions: This study reveals that the measurement of survivin, caspase-3, caspase-7 levels in cumulus cells of PCOS patients could be used as genetic biomarkers for oocyte and embryo selection under an ART program. However, further prospective studies are required to elucidate this issue. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.