Comparative Gene Expression Profiling in Human Cumulus Cells according to Ovarian Gonadotropin Treatments

Abstract

Inin vitrofertilization cycles, both HP-hMG and rFSH gonadotropin treatments are widely used to control human follicle development. The objectives of this study are (i) to characterize and compare gene expression profiles in cumulus cells (CCs) of periovulatory follicles obtained from patients stimulated with HP-hMG or rFSH in a GnRH antagonist cycle and (ii) to examine their relationship within vitroembryo development, using Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays. Genes that were upregulated in HP-hMG-treated CCs are involved in lipid metabolism (GM2A) and cell-to-cell interactions (GJA5). Conversely, genes upregulated in rFSH-treated CCs are implicated in cell assembly and organization (COL1A1andCOL3A1). Interestingly, some genes specific to each gonadotropin treatment (NPY1RandGM2Afor HP-hMG;GREM1andOSBPL6for rFSH) were associated with day 3 embryo quality and blastocyst grade at day 5, while others (STC2andPTX3) were related toin vitroembryo quality in both gonadotropin treatments. These genes may prove valuable as biomarkers ofin vitroembryo quality.