Release of sICAM-1 in oocytes and in vitro fertilized human embryos.
BACKGROUND
During the last years, several studies have reported the significant relationship between the production of soluble HLA-G molecules (sHLA-G) by 48-72 hours early embryos and an increased implantation rate in IVF protocols. As consequence, the detection of HLA-G modulation was suggested as a marker to identify the best embryos to be transferred. On the opposite, no suitable markers are available for the oocyte selection.


RESULTS
The major finding of the present paper is that the release of ICAM-1 might be predictive of oocyte maturation. The results obtained are confirmed using three independent methodologies, such as ELISA, Bio-Plex assay and Western blotting. The sICAM-1 release is very high in immature oocytes, decrease in mature oocytes and become even lower in in vitro fertilized embryos. No significant differences were observed in the levels of sICAM-1 release between immature oocytes with different morphological characteristics. On the contrary, when the mature oocytes were subdivided accordingly to morphological criteria, the mean sICAM-I levels in grade 1 oocytes were significantly decreased when compared to grade 2 and 3 oocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction of the number of fertilized oocytes and transferred embryos represents the main target of assisted reproductive medicine. We propose sICAM-1 as a biochemical marker for oocyte maturation and grading, with a possible interesting rebound in assisted reproduction techniques.
Borgatti
Monica
M
BioPharmaNet, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Rizzo
Roberta
R
Canto
Maria Beatrice Dal
MB
Fumagalli
Daniela
D
Renzini
Mario Mignini
MM
Fadini
Rubens
R
Stignani
Marina
M
Baricordi
Olavio Roberto
OR
Gambari
Roberto
R
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000737:chemistry; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011786:Quality Control; D012995:Solubility
D015415:Biomarkers; D018925:Chemokines; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016207:Cytokines; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1