title: The apoptotic profile of human cumulus cells changes with patient age and after exposure to sperm but not in relation to oocyte maturity.
abstract: 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.
authors: Assisted Conception Unit. Birmingham Women's Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors: Odette
authors: O
authors: Moffatt
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Drury
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Tomlinson
authors: Masoud
authors: M
authors: Afnan
authors: Denny
authors: D
authors: Sakkas
mesh_terms: 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*