High bone morphogenetic protein-15 level in follicular fluid is associated with high quality oocyte and subsequent embryonic development.
BACKGROUND
Bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) has been shown to influence oocyte maturation and quality. However, no relationship has been established between BMP-15 and oocyte quality/embryonic development in humans. The aim of this study is to investigate BMP-15 level in human follicular fluid (FF) and its possible role in determining oocyte quality and developmental potential.


METHODS
A total of 79 oocytes and their corresponding FF from 79 women undergoing ICSI were examined. Individual oocytes were inseminated and subsequently assessed on the basis of their fertilization, cleavage and preimplantation development. BMP-15, FSH, estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone levels of FF were also analysed via the techniques of western blot or radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Higher FF BMP-15 levels were observed in the fertilized and cleaved groups versus the unfertilized and uncleaved groups, respectively (P < 0.05). The best (Grade I) embryo morphology was associated with higher FF BMP-15 levels than Grade II or III embryos (P < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between BMP-15 and E(2) levels in the same follicle.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates that the BMP-15 level in FF appears to be a potential factor in predicting oocyte quality and subsequent embryo development, and is correlated with E(2) level, which may additionally be a valuable predictor of oocyte fertilization.
Wu
Yan-Ting
YT
Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Tang
Li
L
Cai
Jie
J
Lu
Xiu-E
XE
Xu
Jian
J
Zhu
Xiao-Ming
XM
Luo
Qiong
Q
Huang
He-Feng
HF
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000166:cytology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D047108:Embryonic Development; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
C525901:BMP15 protein, human; D015415:Biomarkers; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; C525897:GDF9 protein, human; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone