Cumulus cell gene expression in luteal-phase-derived oocytes after double stimulation in one menstrual cycle. Issue 3 (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mishieva, Nona; Martazanova, Bella; Bogatyreva, Khava; Korolkova, Anna; Kirillova, Anastasia; Veyukova, Maria; Burmenskaya, Olga; Abubakirov, Aydar; Sukhikh, Gennady T
• Is Part Of: Reproductive biomedicine online. Volume 41:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 518
• Page End: 526
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Cumulus cell gene expression -- DuoStim, double stimulation -- Luteal phase-derived oocyte -- Poor responder; Human reproductive technology -- Periodicals; Human embryo -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; 616.692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.05.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6483

Abstract

Abstract: Research question: Does double stimulation (DuoStim) affect cumulus cell gene expression in luteal-phase-derived oocytes? Design: This prospective observational study included 39 patients with reduced ovarian reserve. Fifteen patients (group 1) underwent IVF with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist in the follicular phase and 24 patients (group 2) underwent DuoStim. A total of 149 cumulus cell samples were divided into two groups according to the phase of the cycle: group 1 included 55 follicular-phase-derived oocytes and group 2 included 94 luteal-phase-derived oocytes. The expression levels of the following genes were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction: HAS2, VCAN, ALCAM, PTGS2, GREM1, ITPKA, TRPM7, SDC4, CALM2, SPSB2, TP53I3, PGR and PFKP . Results: The expression of 10 out of 13 genes in cumulus cells was similar between DuoStim luteal-phase-derived oocytes and follicular-phase-derived oocytes. A significant increase in the mRNA levels of VCAN (15.542 ± 6.8 versus 20.353 ± 10.58; P = 0.001), SDC4 (1.016 ± 0.65 versus 1.318 ± 0.97; P = 0.013), and TP53I3 (0.185 ± 0.09 versus 0.270 ± 0.11; P = 1.19E-05) was observed in group 2. The number of oocytes collected (5.57 ± 2.3 versus 5.7 ± 2.7; P > 0.05) and the number of blastocysts were comparable between the groups (2.1 ± 2.1 versus 2.7 ± 2.2; P > 0.05). Conclusions: The DuoStim approach leads to changes in the follicular environment. It affects the expression levels of VCAN, SDC4, and TP53I3 in the cumulus cells of luteal-phase-derived oocytes. These results, however, did not correlate with oocyte maturation, embryo quality and pregnancy rate.