Correlation of cumulus gene expression of GJA1, PRSS35, PTX3, and SERPINE2 with oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development.
BACKGROUND
GJA1 and PTX3 were proposed as gene markers for oocyte and embryo developmental competence, while SERPINE2 was reported to be associated with pregnancy outcome. PRSS35, which is exclusively expressed in the ovary, may be correlated with oocyte competence. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation of cumulus GJA1, PRSS35, PTX3, and SERPINE2 gene expression levels with oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryo development.


METHODS
In total, 308 cumulus cell samples separated from individual cumulus-oocyte complex were obtained from 40 patients undergoing the intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment procedure. Gene expression levels (mRNA levels) in cumulus cells were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Gene expression levels of GJA1 and SERPINE2 in cumulus cells surrounding mature oocytes were significantly lower than those in cumulus cells enclosing immature oocytes. PRSS35 mRNA levels in cumulus cells of fertilized oocytes were significantly higher than those in cumulus cells of unfertilized oocytes. GJA1 and SERPINE2 seemed to express higher mRNA levels, while PRSS35 showed lower expression in cumulus cells of oocytes that developed into embryos with good morphology; however, the expression levels of all three genes and PTX3 showed no significant differences between embryos with good or poor morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
GJA1 and SERPINE2 represent potential gene markers associated with oocyte maturation. PRSS35 may be correlated with oocyte fertilization potential. However, GJA1, PRSS35, PTX3, and SERPINE2 may not be considered as marker genes for predicting embryo morphology.
Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, 251, Taiwan. lsh@mmh.org.tw.|Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112, Taiwan. lsh@mmh.org.tw.|Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei City, 106, Taiwan. lsh@mmh.org.tw.
Sheng-Hsiang
SH
Li
Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, 251, Taiwan. huei97@yahoo.com.tw.|Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112, Taiwan. huei97@yahoo.com.tw.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, 104, Taiwan. huei97@yahoo.com.tw.
Ming-Huei
MH
Lin
Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, 251, Taiwan. hwu4416@yahoo.com.tw.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, 104, Taiwan. hwu4416@yahoo.com.tw.|Mackay Medical College, Sanzhi District, New Taipei City, 252, Taiwan. hwu4416@yahoo.com.tw.
Yuh-Ming
YM
Hwu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, 104, Taiwan. hao@mmh.org.tw.
Chung-Hao
CH
Lu
Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, 251, Taiwan. lindyyeh2008@gmail.com.
Ling-Yu
LY
Yeh
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, 104, Taiwan. injie.b828@ms1.mmh.org.tw.
Ying-Jie
YJ
Chen
Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, 251, Taiwan. lsh@mmh.org.tw.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, 104, Taiwan. lsh@mmh.org.tw.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, 110, Taiwan. lsh@mmh.org.tw.
Robert Kuo-Kuang
RK
Lee
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D057057:Serine Proteases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D058258:Serpin E2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods; D000099153:Pentraxins
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D018031:Connexin 43; D057057:Serine Proteases; D058258:Serpin E2; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins; C500216:GJA1 protein, human; C545486:SERPINE2 protein, human; C552271:PRSS35 protein, human