Journal Article

Cumulus Cells Gene Expression Profiling in Terms of Oocyte Maturity in Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation Using GnRH Agonist or GnRH Antagonist

Virant Klun, Irma, Fon Tacer, Klementina, Devjak, Rok, Vrtačnik Bokal, Eda, Rozman, Damjana, Juvan, Peter

2012

Overview

In in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is established by gonadotropins in combination with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists, to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. The aim of our study was to improve the understanding of gene expression profile of cumulus cells (CC) in terms of ovarian stimulation protocol and oocyte maturity. We applied Affymetrix gene expression profiling in CC of oocytes at different maturation stages using either GnRH agonists or GnRH antagonists. Two analyses were performed: the first involved CC of immature metaphase I (MI) and mature metaphase II (MII) oocytes where 359 genes were differentially expressed, and the second involved the two GnRH analogues where no differentially expressed genes were observed at the entire transcriptome level. A further analysis of 359 differentially genes was performed, focusing on anti-Müllerian hormone receptor 2 (AMHR2), follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) and serine protease inhibitor E2 (SERPINE2). Among other differentially expressed genes we observed a marked number of new genes connected to cell adhesion and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, glycine and γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). No differential expression in CC between the two GnRH analogues supports the findings of clinical studies where no significant difference in live birth rates between both GnRH analogues has been proven.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Adult / Biochemistry / Biology / Cattle / Cell adhesion / Cell Differentiation - drug effects / Cumulus Cells - drug effects / Cumulus Cells - metabolism / Cumulus Cells - pathology / Dopamine / Down-Regulation - drug effects / Drug dosages / Embryos / Female / Follicle Stimulating Hormone - genetics / Follicle Stimulating Hormone - metabolism / Gene expression / Gene Expression Profiling / Gene Regulatory Networks - drug effects / Genes / Genomics / Glycine / Gonadotropin releasing hormone / Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - agonists / Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - antagonists & inhibitors / Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - pharmacology / Gonadotropins / Gynecology / Humans / In vitro fertilization / Infertility / Luteinizing hormone / Luteinizing Hormone - genetics / Luteinizing Hormone - metabolism / Maturation / Medicine / Metaphase / Morphology / Neurotransmitters / Obstetrics / Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Oocytes / Oocytes - drug effects / Oocytes - metabolism / Oocytes - pathology / Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome - genetics / Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome - pathology / Pituitary (anterior) / Polymerase Chain Reaction / Pregnancy / Proteinase inhibitors / Quality / Reproducibility of Results / Reproductive health / Reproductive technologies / Serine / Serine proteinase / Up-Regulation - drug effects / Vascular endothelial growth factor / Vascular endothelial growth factor C / γ-Aminobutyric acid