1
|
Lin M, Mao D, Hu KL, Zhou P, Liu FT, Yin J, Zhang H, Li R. Impact of mildly evaluated thyroid-stimulating hormone levels on in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes in women with the first fresh embryo transfer: a large study from China. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:683-691. [PMID: 38403803 PMCID: PMC10957836 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-03014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the association between mild elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments in women with the first fresh embryo transfer. METHODS Large single-center retrospective cohort study of 15,728 patients from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled in the analyses. Clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, miscarriage rates, and ectopic pregnancy rates were compared between the TSH levels < 2.5 mIU/L group (N = 10,932) and TSH levels ≥ 2.5 mIU/L group (N = 4796). Subgroup analysis was performed for patients with TSH levels ≥ 2.5 mIU/L, dividing them into the thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO)-negative group (N = 4524) and the TPO-positive group (N = 272). RESULTS There were no significant differences in the aforementioned pregnancy outcomes between the TSH levels < 2.5 mIU/L group and TSH levels ≥ 2.5 mIU/L group. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in the pregnancy outcomes between the TPO-negative group and the TPO-positive group. CONCLUSION Mildly elevated pre-conception TSH levels in thyroid-normal infertile patients did not have an impact on pregnancy outcomes of IVF/ICSI treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingmei Lin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Di Mao
- Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Kai-Lun Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Fen-Ting Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwen Yin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Research Center of Clinical Epidemiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wei X, Cao L, Zhou M, Huang J, Liang X, Li N, Pan Y, Yin R, Li H, Jing Li A. A salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction method for 25 emerging pesticides in follicular fluid. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2023; 1229:123897. [PMID: 37793248 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2023.123897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Emerging pesticides of neonicotinoids (NEOs) and "Universal Pesticides" (UPs) are a growing global concern due to their growing commercial importance and potential risks to human health. The currently available analytical methods for these pesticides in biomonitoring were usually tailored for limited number of analytes, or were time consuming and costly. In this study, an efficient and sensitive method for the analysis of 16 NEOs and nine UPs in human follicular fluid (FF) was developed by using a salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) method and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Method performance was evaluated by calibration linearity (r > 0.99), sensitivity at limits of quantification (0.01-0.50 ng/mL), accuracy at relative recoveries (81-117%) and precision at relative standard deviations (≤16%). The developed method was further validated by analyzing 21 human FF samples that were collected from a hospital in Guangzhou, China. Among the 25 study analytes, two NEOs and six UPs had their detection rates over 85% and medians at 0.048-0.808 ng/mL in the FF samples. Considering the well-known toxicity of these pesticides and their metabolites, it is urgent to figure out exposure profiles of study pesticides and potential reproductive risk for women. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to develop and apply the SALLE method in the extraction of 16 NEOs and nine UPs simultaneously in human FF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wei
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Liang Cao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Mingrui Zhou
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jiana Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Nijie Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yanan Pan
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Renli Yin
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Huashou Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Adela Jing Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bastos DCDS, Chiamolera MI, Silva RE, Souza MDCBD, Antunes RA, Souza MM, Mancebo ACA, Arêas PCF, Reis FM, Lo Turco EG, Bloise FF, Ortiga-Carvalho TM. Metabolomic analysis of follicular fluid from women with Hashimoto thyroiditis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12497. [PMID: 37532758 PMCID: PMC10397241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39514-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hashimoto thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease characterized by hypothyroidism and a high level of anti-thyroid autoantibodies. It has shown to negatively impact female fertility; however, the mechanisms are unclear. Ovarian follicular fluid appears to be the key to understanding how Hashimoto thyroiditis affecst fertility. Thus, we aimed to evaluated the metabolic profile of follicular fluid and antithyroid autoantibody levels in the context of Hashimoto thyroiditis. We collected follicular fluid from 61 patients, namely 38 women with thyroid autoantibody positivity and 23 women as negative controls, undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment. Follicular fluid samples were analyzed using metabolomics, and thyroid autoantibodies were measured. Fifteen metabolites with higher concentrations in the follicular fluid samples from Hashimoto thyroiditis were identified, comprising five possible affected pathways: the glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and sphingolipid metabolism pathways. These pathways are known to regulate ovarian functions. In addition, antithyroglobulin antibody concentrations in both serum and follicular fluid were more than tenfold higher in women with Hashimoto thyroiditis than in controls. Our data showed that the metabolic profile of follicular fluid is altered in women with Hashimoto thyroiditis, suggesting a potential mechanistic explanation for the association of this disease with female infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Caroline da Silva Bastos
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Maria Izabel Chiamolera
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Renata Elen Silva
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular e Translacional, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | | | - Roberto Azevedo Antunes
- Fertipraxis Centro de Reproducao Humana, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Maternidade Escola, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Fernando M Reis
- Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Edson Guimarães Lo Turco
- Ion Medicine, São Paulo, Brasil
- Departamento de Cirurgia, Disciplina de Urologia, Setor de Reprodução Assistida Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Flavia Fonseca Bloise
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Tania M Ortiga-Carvalho
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang S, Yang M, Li T, Yang M, Wang W, Chen Y, Ding Y, Liu J, Xu X, Zhang J, Wang Z, Liu J. High level of thyroid peroxidase antibodies as a detrimental risk of pregnancy outcomes in euthyroid women undergoing ART: A meta-analysis. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:218-226. [PMID: 36922915 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) triggered by genetic and epigenetic variation occurs mostly in women of reproductive age. TAI is described mainly by positivity of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) and/or thyroglobulin antibody (TG-Ab). TPO-Ab, but not TG-Ab, was suggested to be associated with pregnancy outcome in euthyroid women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), but their results are conflicting. This meta-analysis was performed to decide whether the presence of TPO-Ab-in a concentration dependent manner-correlates with the success of ART. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases for relevant articles published from January 1999 to April 2022, and these studies focused on the effect of TAI on pregnancy outcomes of women who underwent in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and intrauterine insemination and met the inclusion criteria: (i) the studies were prospective or retrospective study; (ii) all patients undergoing ART were tested for thyroid-related antibodies; (iii) the assessed ART outcomes included miscarriage rate (MR) or delivery rate (DR). The exclusion criteria were: (i) female congenital uterine malformation, chromosomal diseases and other infectious diseases; (ii) overt hypothyroidism or pre-existing thyroid disease; (iii) thrombus tendency. We divided the included patients into three groups according to the TPO-Ab threshold they defined: (i) TPO-Ab (-), threshold <34 IU/mL; (ii) TPO-Ab-34, threshold >34 IU/mL; (iii) TPO-Ab-100, threshold >100 IU/mL. We then extracted necessary relevant data, including MR and DR. Egger's test was used to evaluate the risk of publication bias. This meta-analysis included a total of 7 literatures involving 7466 patients with TAI (-) and 965 patients with TAI (+) and revealed that there was no significant difference between group TPO-Ab-34 and group TPO-Ab (-) in MR [risk ratio (RR): 0.61 (0.35, 1.08), p = 0.09] and DR [RR: 0.97 (0.83, 1.13), p = 0.69]. By contrast, compared to TPO-Ab (-) group, TPO-Ab-100 patients showed markedly higher MR [RR: 2.12 (1.52, 2.96), p = 0.0046], and lower DR [RR: 0.66 (0.49, 0.88), p < 0.0001] with high degree of statistical significance. This meta-analysis suggests that, for euthyroid patients, high level of TPO-Ab (>100 IU/mL) could adversely influence the pregnancy outcome of ART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Mingdong Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shouguang People's Hospital, Shouguang, Shandong, China
| | - Teng Li
- Qingdao Branch of SJTU Bio-X Institutes, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The People's Hospital of Shinan District, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yunqing Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jianxin Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohui Xu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jiane Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Busnelli A, Beltratti C, Cirillo F, Bulfoni A, Lania A, Levi-Setti PE. Impact of Thyroid Autoimmunity on Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes and Ovarian Reserve Markers: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Thyroid 2022; 32:1010-1028. [PMID: 35819278 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2021.0656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) has a high prevalence among women of reproductive age. Investigating its possible impact on ovarian function and fertility is, thus, of utmost relevance. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to elucidate the effect of TAI on both assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes and ovarian reserve. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was restricted to two groups of research articles investigating the association between TAI and: (1) autologous ART outcomes (i.e., fertilization rate [FR], implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate [CPR], miscarriage rate, and live birth rate), (2) markers of ovarian reserve (i.e., anti-Müllerian hormone, basal follicle stimulating hormone, antral follicle count, and number of oocytes retrieved). Studies including women affected by overt hypo/hyperthyroidism were excluded. Relevant studies were identified by a systematic search in PubMed, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, and Scopus, from database inception to May 1, 2022. Results: From a total of 432 identified publications, 22 studies were included in Group 1 and 26 studies in Group 2. The presence of TAI was associated with a higher risk of miscarriage (7606 participants, odds ratio [OR] 1.52, confidence interval [CI 1.14-2.01], p = 0.004, I2 = 53%), lower chance of embryo implantation (7118 participants, OR 0.72, [CI 0.59-0.88], p = 0.001, I2 = 36%), and live birth (11417 participants, OR 0.73, [CI 0.56-0.94], p = 0.02, I2 = 71%). These associations were no longer observed in a subgroup analysis of patients who exclusively underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The FR and CPR as well as the mean values of surrogate markers of oocyte quantity appeared not to be affected by TAI. Conclusions: This data synthesis suggest a higher risk of adverse ART outcomes in women with positive TAI. However, the reliability of these findings is hampered by the relatively low quality of the evidence and significant heterogeneity in many of the meta-analyses. The possible protective effect of ICSI is promising but should be confirmed in controlled prospective clinical trials. PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD42021236529.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Busnelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Fertility Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Carola Beltratti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Federico Cirillo
- Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Fertility Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bulfoni
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Humanitas S. Pio X Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Lania
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Paolo Emanuele Levi-Setti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Fertility Center, Rozzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang R, Cheng F, Cheng W, Wang X, Zhang B, Tian M, Li K, Liu D. The Relationships among Plasma Fetuin-B, Thyroid Autoimmunity, and Fertilization Rate In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer. Int J Endocrinol 2022; 2022:9961253. [PMID: 35340679 PMCID: PMC8942698 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9961253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the study is to investigate the relationships between fetuin-B, thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), and pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Design, Patients, and Measurements. In this prospective study, 180 women who were preparing for pregnancy with IVF-ET were included. There were 120 women with TAI positive and 60 negative controls matched with age and BMI. RESULTS The 180 women had mean ± SD age of 31.4 ± 4.0 years, with a mean ± SD BMI of 21.0 ± 1.6 kg/m2. There was a significant difference in the level of fetuin-B in women with TAI positive compared with TAI negative group (65.2 ± 18.5 vs. 76.4 ± 25.1, P=0.001). Fetuin-B had a negative relationship with thyroid antibodies even after adjusting for other variables (OR (95%CI) = 0.98 (0.96-0.99), P=0.002). Compared with women with TAI negative, those with TAI positive had a significantly higher risk of low fertilization (20.0% vs. 6.7%; P=0.035). And we found no difference in terms of pregnancy, abortion, implantation, and live birth rate between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that both fetuin-B and TAI were the independent factors to lead the low fertilization of IVF-ET (OR (95%CI) = 0.96 (0.94-0.99) and 4.084 (1.39-15.30), P=0.004 and 0.019, respectively). CONCLUSION Fetuin-B was significantly associated with TAI and low fertilization rate in women undergoing IVF-ET. Decreased fetuin-B in women with TAI may be the underlying reason for the lower IVF-ET success rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feifei Cheng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Binghan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Chongqing People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingyuan Tian
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pla I, Sanchez A, Pors SE, Pawlowski K, Appelqvist R, Sahlin KB, Poulsen LLC, Marko-Varga G, Andersen CY, Malm J. Proteome of fluid from human ovarian small antral follicles reveals insights in folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:756-770. [PMID: 33313811 PMCID: PMC7891813 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to identify by mass spectrometry a wider range of proteins and key proteins involved in folliculogenesis and oocyte growth and development by studying follicular fluid (FF) from human small antral follicles (hSAF)? SUMMARY ANSWER The largest number of proteins currently reported in human FF was identified in this study analysing hSAF where several proteins showed a strong relationship with follicular developmental processes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Protein composition of human ovarian FF constitutes the microenvironment for oocyte development. Previous proteomics studies have analysed fluids from pre-ovulatory follicles, where large numbers of plasma constituents are transferred through the follicular basal membrane. This attenuates the detection of low abundant proteins, however, the basal membrane of small antral follicles is less permeable, making it possible to detect a large number of proteins, and thereby offering further insights in folliculogenesis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Proteins in FF from unstimulated hSAF (size 6.1 ± 0.4 mm) were characterised by mass spectrometry, supported by high-throughput and targeted proteomics and bioinformatics. The FF protein profiles from hSAF containing oocytes, capable or not of maturing to metaphase II of the second meiotic division during an IVM (n = 13, from 6 women), were also analysed. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We collected FF from hSAF of ovaries that had been surgically removed from 31 women (∼28.5 years old) undergoing unilateral ovariectomy for fertility preservation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In total, 2461 proteins were identified, of which 1108 identified for the first time in FF. Of the identified proteins, 24 were related to follicular regulatory processes. A total of 35 and 65 proteins were down- and up-regulated, respectively, in fluid from hSAF surrounding oocytes capable of maturing (to MII). We found that changes at the protein level occur already in FF from small antral follicles related to subsequent oocyte maturation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION A possible limitation of our study is the uncertainty of the proportion of the sampled follicles that are undergoing atresia. Although the FF samples were carefully aspirated and processed to remove possible contaminants, we cannot ensure the absence of some proteins derived from cellular lysis provoked by technical reasons. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study is, to our knowledge, the first proteomics characterisation of FF from hSAF obtained from women in their natural menstrual cycle. We demonstrated that the analysis by mass spectrometry of FF from hSAF allows the identification of a greater number of proteins compared to the results obtained from previous analyses of larger follicles. Significant differences found at the protein level in hSAF fluid could predict the ability of the enclosed oocyte to sustain meiotic resumption. If this can be confirmed in further studies, it demonstrates that the viability of the oocyte is determined early on in follicular development and this may open up new pathways for augmenting or attenuating subsequent oocyte viability in the pre-ovulatory follicle ready to undergo ovulation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The authors thank the financial support from ReproUnion, which is funded by the Interreg V EU programme. No conflict of interest was reported by the authors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indira Pla
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Aniel Sanchez
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Susanne Elisabeth Pors
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Krzysztof Pawlowski
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.,Department of Experimental Design and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences SGGW, Warszawa 02-787, Poland
| | - Roger Appelqvist
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - K Barbara Sahlin
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Liv La Cour Poulsen
- Fertility Clinic, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 14, 4600 Køge, Denmark
| | - György Marko-Varga
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.,First Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjiku-ku, Japan
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Malm
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|