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Sachs MK, Makieva S, Velasco Gil A, Xie M, Ille F, Salvadori V, Schmidhauser M, Saenz-de-Juano MD, Ulbrich SE, Leeners B. Transcriptomic signature of luteinized cumulus cells of oocytes developing to live birth after women received intracytoplasmic sperm injection. F&S SCIENCE 2024; 5:24-38. [PMID: 38036000 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the transcriptome of human cumulus cells (CCs) from oocytes with different outcomes (pregnancy yes/no, live birth [LB] yes/no), to identify noninvasive biomarkers for oocyte selection as well as new therapeutic targets to increase LB rates from assisted reproductive technologies (ART). DESIGN Retrospective observational study. SETTINGS This study was conducted at a University Hospital in Switzerland. PATIENTS Subfertile couples undergoing controlled ovarian superstimulation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection with subsequent unbiopsied embryo transfer below the female age of 43 years. INTERVENTION(S) RNA sequencing of CCs from oocytes results in a pregnancy, no pregnancy, LB, or no LB. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Differential gene expression (DEG) between CCs of oocytes results in "no pregnancy" vs. "pregnancy" and "pregnancy only" vs. "live birth." RESULTS Although RNA sequencing did not reveal DEGs when comparing the transcriptomic profiles of the groups "no pregnancy" with "pregnancy," we identified 139 DEGs by comparing "pregnancy only" with "live birth," of which 28 belonged to clusters relevant to successful ART outcomes (i.e., CTGF, SERPINE2, PCK1, HHIP, HS3ST, and BIRC5). A functional enrichment analysis revealed that the transcriptome of CCs associated with LB depicts pathways of extracellular matrix, inflammatory cascades leading to ovulation, cell patterning, proliferation, and differentiation, and silencing pathways leading to apoptosis. CONCLUSION We identified a CCs transcriptomic profile associated with LB after embryo transfer that, after further validation, could serve to predict successful ART outcomes. The definition of relevant pathways of CCs related to oocyte competency contributes to a broader understanding of the cumulus oocyte complex and helps identify further therapeutic targets for improving ART success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike K Sachs
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Sofia Makieva
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Velasco Gil
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Min Xie
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Ille
- Center of Bioscience and Medical Engineering, Institute of Medical Engineering, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Obermattweg, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Salvadori
- Center of Bioscience and Medical Engineering, Institute of Medical Engineering, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Obermattweg, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Meret Schmidhauser
- ETH Zürich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätsstrasse Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mara D Saenz-de-Juano
- ETH Zürich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätsstrasse Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne E Ulbrich
- ETH Zürich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätsstrasse Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Leeners
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
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Adriaenssens T, Van Vaerenbergh I, Van Landuyt L, Verheyen G, De Brucker M, Camus M, Platteau P, De Vos M, Reis M, Van Hecke E, Rosenthal A, Smitz J. Non-invasive cumulus cell analysis can be applied for oocyte ranking and is useful for countries with legal restrictions on embryo generation or freezing. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297040. [PMID: 38295095 PMCID: PMC10830053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Can a strategy for scoring oocyte quality, based on cumulus cell (CC) gene expression, prioritize oocytes with the highest implantation potential, while limiting the number of embryos to be processed in culture and the number of supernumerary embryos to be vitrified? DESIGN An interventional, blinded, prospective cohort study was retrospectively analyzed. In the original study, patients underwent a fresh Day3 single embryo transfer with embryos ranked based on morphology and CC gene expression (Aurora Test). The additional ranking of the embryos with the Aurora Test resulted in significant higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Now it is investigated if the Aurora Test ranking could be applied to select oocytes. The effect of an Aurora Test based restriction to 2 and 3 2PN or MII oocytes on clinical pregnancy and other outcomes, was analyzed in two subsets of patients with all 2PN (n = 83) or all MII oocytes (n = 45) ranked. RESULTS Considering only the top three ranked 2PN oocytes, 95% of the patients would have received a fresh SET on Day3 resulting in 65% clinical pregnancies. This was not different from the pregnancy rate obtained in a strategy using all oocytes but significantly reduced the need for vitrification of supernumerary embryos by 3-fold. Considering only top-ranked MII oocytes gave similar results. CONCLUSIONS In countries with legal restrictions on freezing of embryos, gene expression of CC can be used for the selective processing of oocytes and would thus decrease the twin pregnancy rate and workload, especially for embryo morphology scoring and transfers as the handling and processing of lower competence oocytes is prevented, while improving the ART outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Greta Verheyen
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Michel Camus
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peter Platteau
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel De Vos
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Johan Smitz
- Fertiga, Brussels, Belgium
- Follicle Biology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Pham HH, Le AH, Nguyen TC, Ma MPQ, Akin N, Pham TD, Nguyen MHN, Le HL, Huynh BG, Smitz J, Ho TM, Vuong LN. Effect of single versus grouped culture of human cumulus-oocyte complexes in PCOS women treated with biphasic in vitro maturation: A sibling oocyte pilot study. Reprod Med Biol 2024; 23:e12587. [PMID: 38854775 PMCID: PMC11157497 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study investigated the differences in the maturation rate of single versus grouped cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) culture methods for capacitation in vitro maturation (CAPA-IVM) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods This study was performed at My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital, Vietnam from October 1, 2020 to October 24, 2021. Women aged 18-37 years with a diagnosis of PCOS were recruited. COCs from each woman were randomly divided into two groups: single or grouped culture during CAPA-IVM culture. The primary outcome was the maturation rate. Results A total of 322 COCs from 15 eligible women included were randomly assigned to the two study groups. The maturation rate was comparable between the single and grouped culture groups (61.3% vs. 64.8%; p = 0.56). There were no significant differences in the number of 2-pronuclei fertilized oocytes, number of day-3 embryos, and number of good-quality embryos in the two culture method groups. In the single culture group, COCs morphology was associated with the day-3 embryo formation rate but not the maturation rate. Conclusions Comparable oocyte maturation and embryology outcomes between single and grouped COCs culture utilizing sibling COCs derived from women with PCOS suggest the feasibility of both methods for CAPA-IVM culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy H. Pham
- IVMFD Phu NhuanMy Duc Phu Nhuan HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- HOPE Research CenterMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Anh H. Le
- IVMFD Phu NhuanMy Duc Phu Nhuan HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- HOPE Research CenterMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Tri C. Nguyen
- HOPE Research CenterMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Mai P. Q. Ma
- Follicle Biology LaboratoryFree University of Brussels (VUB)BrusselsBelgium
| | - Nazli Akin
- Follicle Biology LaboratoryFree University of Brussels (VUB)BrusselsBelgium
| | - Toan D. Pham
- HOPE Research CenterMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | | | - Ho L. Le
- IVMFD Phu NhuanMy Duc Phu Nhuan HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- HOPE Research CenterMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Bao G. Huynh
- HOPE Research CenterMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- IVFMDMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Johan Smitz
- Follicle Biology LaboratoryFree University of Brussels (VUB)BrusselsBelgium
| | - Tuong M. Ho
- HOPE Research CenterMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- IVFMDMy Duc HospitalHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Lan N. Vuong
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
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Barragán M, Cornet-Bartolomé D, Molina N, Vassena R. The expression levels of NOS2, HMOX1, and VEGFC in cumulus cells are markers of oocyte maturation and fertilization rate. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:369-377. [PMID: 37486100 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23698] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the reproductive life of women, cumulus cells (CC) protect the dormant oocyte from damage, act as sensors of the follicular microenvironment, and act as a gatekeeper for oocyte developmental potential. One such mechanism relies on the hypoxia-tolerance response, which, with age, decreases systematically, including in the ovary. We aimed to evaluate the association between gene expression related to hypoxia and aging in CC and reproductive results in in vitro fertilization cycles. We recruited 94 women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Total RNA was extracted from pooled CCs collected after oocyte pick-up (OPU) and reverse-transcribed to complementary DNA using random hexamers to test 14 genes related to hypoxia response via HIF1α activation, oxidative stress, and angiogenic responses. The expression of CLU, NOS2, and TXNIP had a positive correlation with age (rs = 0.25, rs = 0.24, and rs = 0.35, respectively). Additionally, NOS2 and HMOX1 expression correlated positively with the retrieval of immature oocytes (rs = 0.22 and rs = 0.40, respectively). Moreover, VEGFC levels decreased overall with increasing fertilization rate, independently of age (rs = -0.29). We found that the fertilization potential of a cohort of oocytes is related to the ability of CC to respond to oxidative stress and hypoxia with age, pointing at NOS2, HMOX1, and VEGFC expression as markers for oocyte maturation and fertilization success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Barragán
- EUGIN Group, Research and Development, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cornet-Bartolomé
- EUGIN Group, Research and Development, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistic, CIBERER, IBUB, IRSJD, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia Molina
- EUGIN Group, Research and Development, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rita Vassena
- EUGIN Group, Research and Development, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Bahrami M, Morris MB, Day ML. Glutamine, proline, and isoleucine support maturation and fertilisation of bovine oocytes. Theriogenology 2023; 201:59-67. [PMID: 36842262 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.02.019] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Successful in-vitro production of bovine embryos relies on meiotic maturation of oocytes in vitro (IVM) before they can be fertilised. High levels of IVM are currently achieved using a complex medium that contains all 20 common amino acids, namely TCM199, but can also be achieved using a simple inorganic salt solution containing non-essential amino acids, proline, and glutamine. Further simplification of the amino acid content of medium used for IVM could lead to a more defined medium that provides reproducible IVM. The aim of this study was, therefore, to determine the minimal amino acid requirements for bovine oocyte nuclear maturation, as measured by progression to metaphase II (MII) of meiosis. Supplementation of a simple medium composed of inorganic salts (M1 medium) with multiple amino-acid combinations showed that M1 containing glutamine, proline, and isoleucine resulted in nuclear maturation comparable to that of TCM199 (57.4 ± 3.4% vs 67% ± 1.7%, respectively) but was reduced when cystine (Cys2) to that seen with M1 alone (38.0 ± 2.2%). Viability of oocytes matured in this simplified medium was equal to those matured in TCM199 since the same proportion of zygotes with 2 pronuclei were observed following fertilisation in medium containing no amino acids (33.9 ± 6.5% vs 33.3 ± 3.6%, respectively). Addition of glutamine, proline and isoleucine to fertilisation medium also increased the proportion of zygotes but did not increase blastocyst development rates. Thus, a defined medium containing only glutamine, proline and isoleucine is sufficient for oocyte maturation and successful fertilisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Bahrami
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Michael B Morris
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margot L Day
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Martínez-Moro Á, González-Brusi L, Lamas-Toranzo I, González-Dosal P, Rodríguez-Juárez F, Bermejo-Álvarez P. The human cumulus cell transcriptome provides poor predictive value for embryo transfer outcome. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:783-791. [PMID: 36922313 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Is the transcriptome of cumulus cells a good predictor of the embryo's developmental competence? DESIGN Cumulus cells were collected from donor oocytes and their transcriptome was analysed by RNA sequencing analysis at >30 × 106 reads in samples grouped according to the developmental potential of their enclosed oocyte: not able to develop to the blastocyst stage (Bl-), able to develop to the blastocyst stage but failing to establish a pregnancy (P-), or able to develop to the blastocyst stage and to establish a clinical pregnancy (P+). RESULTS The cumulus cell trancriptome was largely independent of the developmental potential as, using a false dscovery rate-adjusted P-value of <0.05, only 10, 11 and 5 genes were differentially expressed for the comparisons P+ versus P-, P+ versus Bl-, and P- versus Bl-, respectively, out of a total of 17,469 genes expressed. Between the differentially expressed genes, those showing little overlap between samples from different groups were CHAC1, up-regulated in the P- and P+ groups compared with the Bl- group, and CENPE, CD93, PECAM1 and HSPA1B, which showed the opposite expression pattern. Focusing on the pregnancy potential, only EPN3 was consistently downregulated in the P+ compared with the P- and Bl- groups. CONCLUSIONS The cumulus cell transcriptome is largely unrelated to the establishment of clinical pregnancy following embryo transfer, although the expression level of a subset of genes in cumulus cells may indicate the ability to develop to the blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Martínez-Moro
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; IVF Spain Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
The metaphase II (MII) oocyte is the mature female gamete, produced from a complex maturation process called oogenesis that starts in the first weeks of embryogenesis in the female embryo tract, continues during puberty, and is completed at fertilization with the spermatozoon. Oogenesis is closely related to folliculogenesis. In assisted reproduction techniques, oocytes are retrieved in cumulus-oocyte complexes after ovarian stimulation. Before being used for in vitro fertilization or cryopreservation, the metaphase (MII) oocytes can be classified according to different morphological traits and by the presence/absence of the meiotic spindle. Except for a few and rare morphological characteristics that make the oocyte discarded, none of the morphological characteristics is predictive of oocyte competence in giving a viable embryo. On the other side, specific key performance indicators based on MII oocytes test the efficacy of in vitro treatments. Molecular, cellular, or genetic abnormalities in the oocytes have observable consequences on the embryo development dynamics and its genetic content. Besides what can be seen in vitro, several intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to the patient are responsible for the oocyte quality. The clinician and the patient herself must be aware of these factors to preserve the reproductive functions as much as possible. In the present review, we have revised oogenesis and the role of mature oocytes in supporting the fertilization process and early embryo development; we have also listed the oocyte morphological traits and key performance indicators related to the oocyte quality and studied the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that irreversibly impact female fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Chamayou
- Unit of Reproductive Medicine, HERA Center, Sant'Agata Li Battiati, Catania, Italy -
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Oocyte vitrification for elective fertility preservation: a SWOT analysis. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 44:1005-1014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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