Fatty acid composition of fertilization-failed human oocytes.
The aim of the study was to assess the fatty acid composition of human fertilization-failed oocytes. A total of 150 unfertilized oocytes from 43 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) were analysed using capillary gas chromatography. The majority of fatty acids were saturated (79.22%), of which stearic (38.65%) and palmitic (32.66%) acids were the most abundant. Of the monounsaturated fatty acids (14.27%) oleic acid was the most abundant (9.77%). Polyunsaturated fatty acids comprised 6.50% of fatty acids, the n-6:n-3 ratio being 7.73. The ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid:docosahexaenoic acid was approximately 5. It is concluded that the most common fatty acids in human unfertilized oocytes are either saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids, whose main function is to provide an energy source. A number of differences in fatty acid composition were observed, in comparison with other biological samples. In particular, stearic and eicosapentaenoic acids were more prominent, and oleic and linoleic acids were less prominent; this may reflect some specific peculiarity of oocyte metabolism.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital from Cruces, Pais Vasco University, Baracaldo, Vizcaya, Spain.
R
R
Matorras
J I
JI
Ruiz
R
R
Mendoza
N
N
Ruiz
P
P
Sanjurjo
F J
FJ
Rodriguez-Escudero
D000328:Adult; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D013229:Stearic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D017211:Treatment Failure
D005227:Fatty Acids; D013229:Stearic Acids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D019301:Oleic Acid; D019308:Palmitic Acid; C031183:stearic acid; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid