TY - JOUR
T1 - Human cumulus granulosa cell gene expression
T2 - A predictor of fertilization and embryo selection in women undergoing IVF
AU - McKenzie, L. J.
AU - Pangas, S. A.
AU - Carson, S. A.
AU - Kovanci, E.
AU - Cisneros, P.
AU - Buster, J. E.
AU - Amato, P.
AU - Matzuk, M. M.
PY - 2004/12
Y1 - 2004/12
N2 - Background: A biochemical marker for embryo development would increase the chance of a successful pregnancy with IVF by optimizing oocyte and embryo selection, and allow fewer embryos to be transferred. In this study, we correlated cumulus granulosa cell gene expression of hyaluronic acid synthase 2 (HAS2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2; PTGS2) and gremlin (GREM1) with subsequent embryo development in search of a parameter for embryo selection. Methods: Cumulus cell gene expression was determined prospectively on eight consecutive patients undergoing IVF with ICSI. Immediately following oocyte retrieval, the cumulus was stripped from the oocyte, and cumulus gene expression for PTGS2, HAS2 and GREM1 was assessed using a one-step real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay. Oocyte quality, fertilization and embryo morphology were correlated to relative gene expression. Results: Gene expression data were available on cumulus cells from 108 oocytes that developed into 70 embryos (64.8% fertilization rate). Cumulus PTGS2, HAS2 and GREM1 expression was higher from oocytes that developed into higher quality embryos (grades 3, 4 and 5) compared with lower quality embryos (grades 1 and 2) (P < 0.05, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). HAS2 and GREM1 expression was also higher from the cumulus surrounding oocytes that gave rise to higher grade embryos (P < 0.001). The expression of PTGS2 and HAS2 was 6-fold higher, and that of GREM1 was 15-fold higher in cumulus yielding higher grade embryos versus lower grade embryos. Conclusion: PTGS2, HAS2 and GREM1 gene expression correlates to morphological and physiological characteristics and provides a novel approach to predict human embryo development. Ultimately, with better predictors of follicular and embryonic health, higher quality embryos can be selected and transferred, reducing higher order pregnancy rates.
AB - Background: A biochemical marker for embryo development would increase the chance of a successful pregnancy with IVF by optimizing oocyte and embryo selection, and allow fewer embryos to be transferred. In this study, we correlated cumulus granulosa cell gene expression of hyaluronic acid synthase 2 (HAS2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2; PTGS2) and gremlin (GREM1) with subsequent embryo development in search of a parameter for embryo selection. Methods: Cumulus cell gene expression was determined prospectively on eight consecutive patients undergoing IVF with ICSI. Immediately following oocyte retrieval, the cumulus was stripped from the oocyte, and cumulus gene expression for PTGS2, HAS2 and GREM1 was assessed using a one-step real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay. Oocyte quality, fertilization and embryo morphology were correlated to relative gene expression. Results: Gene expression data were available on cumulus cells from 108 oocytes that developed into 70 embryos (64.8% fertilization rate). Cumulus PTGS2, HAS2 and GREM1 expression was higher from oocytes that developed into higher quality embryos (grades 3, 4 and 5) compared with lower quality embryos (grades 1 and 2) (P < 0.05, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). HAS2 and GREM1 expression was also higher from the cumulus surrounding oocytes that gave rise to higher grade embryos (P < 0.001). The expression of PTGS2 and HAS2 was 6-fold higher, and that of GREM1 was 15-fold higher in cumulus yielding higher grade embryos versus lower grade embryos. Conclusion: PTGS2, HAS2 and GREM1 gene expression correlates to morphological and physiological characteristics and provides a novel approach to predict human embryo development. Ultimately, with better predictors of follicular and embryonic health, higher quality embryos can be selected and transferred, reducing higher order pregnancy rates.
KW - Embryo selection
KW - Growth differentiation factor 9
KW - Oocyte-regulated genes
KW - Reproductive success
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U2 - 10.1093/humrep/deh535
DO - 10.1093/humrep/deh535
M3 - Article
C2 - 15471935
AN - SCOPUS:11144324987
SN - 0268-1161
VL - 19
SP - 2869
EP - 2874
JO - Human Reproduction
JF - Human Reproduction
IS - 12
ER -