title: No specific gene expression signature in human granulosa and cumulus cells for prediction of oocyte fertilisation and embryo implantation.
abstract: In human IVF procedures objective and reliable biomarkers of oocyte and embryo quality are needed in order to increase the use of single embryo transfer (SET) and thus prevent multiple pregnancies. During folliculogenesis there is an intense bi-directional communication between oocyte and follicular cells. For this reason gene expression profile of follicular cells could be an important indicator and biomarker of oocyte and embryo quality. The objective of this study was to identify gene expression signature(s) in human granulosa (GC) and cumulus (CC) cells predictive of successful embryo implantation and oocyte fertilization. Forty-one patients were included in the study and individual GC and CC samples were collected; oocytes were cultivated separately, allowing a correlation with IVF outcome and elective SET was performed. Gene expression analysis was performed using microarrays, followed by a quantitative real-time PCR validation. After statistical analysis of microarray data, there were no significantly differentially expressed genes (FDR<0,05) between non-fertilized and fertilized oocytes and non-implanted and implanted embryos in either of the cell type. Furthermore, the results of quantitative real-time PCR were in consent with microarray data as there were no significant differences in gene expression of genes selected for validation. In conclusion, we did not find biomarkers for prediction of oocyte fertilization and embryo implantation in IVF procedures in the present study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slajmerjeva 3, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burnik Papler
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slajmerjeva 3, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Eda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vrtacnik Bokal
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre, Slajmerjeva 3, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lovrecic
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Zaloska 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Andreja Natasa
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Kopitar
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre, Slajmerjeva 3, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Ales
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D056826:Single Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers