Journal
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
Volume 29, Issue 2, Pages 141-152Publisher
SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-011-9690-x
Keywords
Follicle culture; Gene expression; Oocyte competence; Follicle-stimulating hormone; Luteinizing hormone receptor
Funding
- The Belgian Foundation Against Cancer [221.2008]
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The in-vitro environment influences oocyte competence and gene expression in cumulus cells and oocytes. Effects of culturing under non-attachment conditions and varying follicle exposure to FSH were investigated at the mRNA level and on oocyte developmental capacity. Quantitative PCR analysis of Gdf9, Mater, Nmp2 (in oocytes), Lhcgr and Amh (in cumulus cells), and oocyte developmental competence after in vitro follicle culture were evaluated. Follicle survival (98.7%) and polar body rate (94%) were similar for all conditions. Estradiol and progesterone production were significantly lower in non-attachment follicles (10-fold and 3-fold, respectively). Under non-attachment conditions, a higher two-cell rate (69.9%) and total blastocyst yield (48.5%) were obtained and, by decreasing FSH levels during culture, Lhcgr transcripts were significantly reduced to levels similar to in-vivo. Levels of oocyte-specific transcripts were not significantly influenced by in-vitro conditions. Non-attachment conditions influence follicle steroid secretory capacity and, together with dynamic FSH doses, positively influence cumulus cell gene expression and oocyte developmental competence.
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