title: Relative expression of genes encoding SMAD signal transduction factors in human granulosa cells is correlated with oocyte quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the expression of SMAD transcripts in human granulosa cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Luteinized mural granulosa cells were harvested from forty women undergoing oocyte retrieval, and RNAs were isolated. SMAD expression levels were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (q-RTPCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  SMAD1-7 and 9 are expressed in human granulosa cells, with SMAD2, 3 and 4 showing the highest expression levels. Peak estradiol (E2) levels correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved during IVF. Oocyte number showed no correlation with SMAD expression levels or ratios. Fertilization rates also did not correlate with the expression levels of individual SMADs, but did correlate with higher SMAD4:SMAD3 ratios (p = 0.0062) and trended with SMAD4:SMAD2 (p = 0.0698).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SMAD transcripts are differently expressed in human granulosa cells, where they may mediate TGF-beta superfamily signaling during folliculogenesis and ovulation. Further, the relative expression ratios of SMAD2, 3 and 4 may differentially affect fertilization rate.
authors.affiliation: Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, Division of REI, Department of Ob/Gyn, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
authors.forename: Fang-Ting
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Gayane
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ambartsumyan
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ketefian
authors.forename: Ikuko K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Bentsi-Barnes
authors.forename: Margareta D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pisarska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051899:Smad2 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051900:Smad3 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051901:Smad4 Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C497782:SMAD2 protein, human; C497790:SMAD3 protein, human; C497796:SMAD4 protein, human; D051785:Smad Proteins; D051899:Smad2 Protein; D051900:Smad3 Protein; D051901:Smad4 Protein