Protection of cumulus cells following dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation.
BACKGROUND
Growing studies have demonstrated that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may improve fertility outcomes in poor ovarian responders (PORs). The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and cumulus cell (CC) expression before and after DHEA treatment in PORs undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.


METHODS
Six patients with poor ovarian response were enrolled in the study according to Bologna criteria. DHEA was supplied at least 2 months before patients entered into the next IVF cycle. Expression of apoptosis-related genes in CCs was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity of CCs was assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay.


RESULTS
Metaphase II oocytes, maturation rate, embryos at Day 3, and fertilization rate significantly increased following DHEA treatment. Expression of cytochrome c, caspase 9, and caspase 3 genes in CCs were significantly reduced after DHEA therapy. Additionally, increased mitochondrial activity of CCs was observed following DHEA supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
DHEA supplementation may protect CCs via improved mitochondrial activity and decreased apoptosis, leading to better clinical outcomes in PORs.
a Department of Biological Science , National Sun Yat-sen University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan.|b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan.|c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine , Taipei , Taiwan.
Li-Te
LT
Lin
c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine , Taipei , Taiwan.|d Division of Gynecology , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital , Taipei , Taiwan.|e Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , National Yang-Ming University Hospital , Ilan , Taiwan.|f Immunology Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital , Taipei , Taiwan.|g Department of Medical Research , China Medical University Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan.
Peng-Hui
PH
Wang
b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan.
San-Nung
SN
Chen
h Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University , Taiwan.
Chia-Jung
CJ
Li
i Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources , National Sun Yat-sen University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan , and.
Zhi-Hong
ZH
Wen
a Department of Biological Science , National Sun Yat-sen University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan.
Jiin-Tsuey
JT
Cheng
b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan.|c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine , Taipei , Taiwan.|j Department of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology , Tajen University , Pingtung County , Taiwan.
Kuan-Hao
KH
Tsui
D000328:Adult; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone
Apoptosis; cumulus cells; dehydroepiandrosterone; mitochondria; poor ovarian responder