MicroRNAs with Altered Expression Profiles in Granulosa of Women of Advanced Age with Diminished Ovarian Reserve

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the micro-RNA differences between women of advanced age with a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and young women with a normal ovarian reserve (NOR), and the causes leading to the decline of ovarian reserve function and oocyte function in women, which may be related to aging. Methods: The prospective cohort investigation method was used in this study. We used microRNA sequencing to detect the microRNA expression profiles for women of advanced age with DOR function and young women with NOR function. Then, the differentially expressed microRNAs were compared and the agerelated mechanism was predicted by the target genes. Results: The microRNA sequencing results revealed that 70 microRNA expressions were different, including 45 downregulated expressions and 25 upregulated expressions. Specifically, miR-221-3p, miR-146b-5p, miR-378a-3p, miR-143-5p, miR-222-5p, and miR-221-5p were significantly downregulated; miR-6881-3p, miR-4787-3p, miR-4745-5p, miR-6513-3p, and miR-3179 were upregulated. The primary pathways are PI3K-Akt, MAPK, Phospholipase D, and Chemokine. Conclusions: Differences were observed between the expression profiles of microRNAs in the granulosa cells of the ovaries of patients with DOR and NOR. These differences may be age-related.