The apoptotic profile of human cumulus cells changes with patient age and after exposure to sperm but not in relation to oocyte maturity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of apoptosis-associated molecules on cumulus cells removed from individual oocytes of different maturity, inseminated oocytes and to investigate the possibility of an age-dependent expression.


METHODS
Analysis of apoptosis in cumulus cells isolated from oocytes of different stages of maturity.


METHODS
Assisted reproductive technology program of the Birmingham Women's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.


METHODS
Patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection or IVF cycles.


METHODS
Percentage of positive cumulus cells when assessed for nuclear DNA damage using the terminal deoxyuridine nucleotide end-labeling assay or stained with antibodies [Fas, Fas ligand, the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xl, and the RNA-binding protein (TIAR)].


RESULTS
Cumulus cells collected from mature oocytes showed no significant difference in the percentage of apoptotic markers compared to those recovered from immature oocytes, whereas those from patients >/=38 years differed significantly. When cumulus cells were exposed to sperm the levels of apoptotic markers altered significantly from those not exposed to sperm.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that the cumulus cells of human oocytes are equipped with a mechanism to undergo apoptosis and that patient age and the exposure of cumulus cells to sperm can alter their profiles of apoptotic markers.
Moffatt
Odette
O
Assisted Conception Unit. Birmingham Women's Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Drury
Sarah
S
Tomlinson
Matthew
M
Afnan
Masoud
M
Sakkas
Denny
D
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*