Molecular Biological Approaches to Human Oocyte Developmental Competence Prognosis

Objective: Cumulus cells respond to the effects of hormones and signalling molecules synthesised by the oocyte by changing their expression profile. In turn, cumulus cells control the growth and maturation of the oocyte. Therefore, analysis of the transcriptional profile of cumulus cells is likely to be one of the approaches for non-invasive prediction of oocyte quality in assisted reproductive technology programs. To evaluate the expression of selected genes in cumulus cells in women with primary and secondary types of infertility with positive and negative results of assisted reproductive technologies. Methods: 9 healthy donors and 19 patients undergoing infertility treatment with ART methods participated in the study. RNA was isolated from cumulus cells obtained during oocyte preparation for fertilisation, and cDNA was synthesised and used as a matrix for real-time PCR with primers for AREG, SCD4, PTGS, SCD5, HAS2, VCAN, STAR and two lncRNA genes (ANXA2P2, MALAT1). Results and Discussion: The genes of interest expression did not depend on the type of infertility but rather on the IVF attempt outcome. The panel of mRNA biomarkers (SDC4upAREGupMALAT1not changedANXA2P2not changed ) was associated with poorer oocyte competence prognosis and SDC4not changedAREGdownMALAT1downANXA2P2down set of biomarkers was associated with better quality of oocytes. Conclusions: This non-invasive method can be used to access oocyte quality in patients with primary and secondary infertility.