Attenuated oocyte fertilization and embryo development associated with altered growth factor/signal transduction induced by endometriotic peritoneal fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the embryotoxic effect of peritoneal fluid (PF) from infertile women with mild endometriosis on mouse oocytes and embryos is associated with changes in embryonic epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and their receptors.


METHODS
Experimental animal study.


METHODS
University-based research laboratory.


METHODS
Adult ICR mice.


METHODS
Peritoneal fluid was obtained from fertile women with no endometriosis (PF-NE) and infertile women with mild endometriosis (PF-E). In vitro fertilization was performed, and mouse two-cell stage embryos were cultured in human tubal fluid medium with or without PF.


METHODS
Rates of fertilization, cleavage, and blastulation. The embryonic EGF and IGF-I levels in culture medium were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EGF receptor, IGF-I receptor, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) expression was determined by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.


RESULTS
When oocytes and embryos were cultured in media with PF-E, the fertilization capability of oocytes and the development potential of embryos were decreased. The levels of embryonic EGF, IGF-I, and their receptors were increased. However, p-ERK of the postreceptor signal transduction pathway was down-regulated.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometriotic PF may attenuate oocyte and embryo development by impairing embryonic growth factor/receptor/signal transduction, resulting in endometriotic infertility.
Ding
Guo-Lian
GL
Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Chen
Xi-Jing
XJ
Luo
Qiong
Q
Dong
Min-Yue
MY
Wang
Ning
N
Huang
He-Feng
HF
D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1