title: Follicular fluid oocyte/cumulus-free DNA concentrations as a potential biomolecular marker of embryo quality and IVF outcome.
abstract: The present prospective study examined the follicular fluid oocyte/cumulus-free DNA concentrations (ff o/c-free DNA) during ovarian stimulation and the possible association between ff o/c-free DNA and embryological results such as embryo quality and pregnancy rate. Eighty-three women undergoing IV/ICSI-ET treatments were prospectively included in this study. ff o/c-free DNA was determined by conventional quantitative real time PCR-Sybr green detection approach. The 83 ff samples were categorized in two groups: group 1 (n = 62) with cumulus oocytes complexes (CoCs) ≥2 and group 2 (n = 21) with CoCs = 1. Group 1 revealed significant higher embryo quality in terms of mean score of embryo transfer (MSET), but lower ff o/c-free DNA concentrations compared to group 2. The two groups showed comparable pregnancy rates (positive hCG and clinical pregnancy). The higher the ff o/c-free DNA concentration, the lower the number of produced oocytes. ff o/c-free DNA did not seem to have any direct role in the IVF outcome. Further research is required to clarify whether ff o/c-free DNA is a biomolecular marker of embryo quality and IVF outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dimopoulou
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Anifandis
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Messini
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dafopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kouris
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sotiriou
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Satra
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vamvakopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Messinis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004247:DNA