title: Human cumulus cell gene expression as a biomarker of pregnancy outcome after single embryo transfer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the cumulus cell gene expression associated with oocyte developmental competence, specifically live birth, after single ET (SET) assisted reproductive technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective gene expression analysis in human cumulus cells from oocytes that established a pregnancy resulting in live birth versus no pregnancy after SET.
  
  
  METHODS
  Independent IVF clinic and research institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection with SET.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed on cumulus masses collected before insemination. Oocytes and embryos were cultured and transferred independently in 38 patients undergoing elective SET. Paired cumulus samples from oocytes that developed into high- versus low-grade embryos also were compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gene expression profiles of metabolic (ALDOA, LDHA, PFKP, PKM2), signaling (AHR, GREM1, PTGS2, STS), extracellular matrix (HAS2, PTX3, TNFAIP6, VCAN), and loading control GAPDH in individual cumulus masses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VCAN and PTGS2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in cumulus cells from oocytes yielding a pregnancy resulting in a live birth, while PTX3 mRNA expression trended toward higher expression in pregnant samples. Cumulus cell levels of VCAN, GREM1, and PFKP correlated with birth weight in patients at 38 weeks of gestation. No genes correlated with clinical embryo morphology scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cumulus cell VCAN, PTGS2, GREM1, and PFKP expression may identify oocytes with high developmental potential, leading to enhanced implantation rates and greater developmental capacity throughout gestation.
authors.affiliation: School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn Michelle
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gebhardt
authors.forename: Deanne Kate
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Feil
authors.forename: Kylie Renee
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Dunning
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Darryl Lyndon
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000639:trends; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D056826:Single Embryo Transfer / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers