Assessment of the expression levels of two long non-coding RNAs, lnc-CYP11A1-1 and RP11573D15.8, in human aneuploid and euploid embryos

Introduction: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a subset of RNA molecules that have been shown to be involved in gene regulation. A lot of different pathways are involved during gametogenesis and any disturbance to these pathways may have a derogatory impact on producing a haploid gamete and thus a euploid embryo. Steroidogenesis pathway plays a crucial role in gametogenesis. The purpose of this work was to quantify the levels of lnc-CYP11A1-1 and RP11573D15.8 expression levels in aneuploid and euploid embryos. Materials and methods: A total of 20 surplus human embryos, of which 10 euploid and ten aneuploid embryos, were collected from an IVF centre. The expression levels of two lncRNAs, which have been hypothesized to regulate expression of <i>CYP11A1,</i> were evaluated in these embryos. RNA was extracted and used to synthesize cDNA for the experiments. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the expression levels of each lncRNA in aneuploid and euploid embryos, respectively. Results and discussion: This study shows that lnc-CYP11A1-1 was more expressed in aneuploid than in euploid embryos. RP11-573D15.8 is expressed more in aneuploid embryos than in euploid ones. The results for RP11-573D15.8 were statistically significant with a <i>p</i>-value of 0.02 (less than the standard threshold of <i>p</i> 0.05), whereas the results for lnc-CYP11A1-1 were not statistically significant with a <i>p</i>-value of 0.07 (greater than the standard threshold of <i>p</i> 0.05). Thus, the result of this study demonstrates that lncRNAs may have a role in gametogenesis and formation of aneuploid gametes.