Influence of follicular fluid GDF9 and BMP15 on embryo quality

Objective: To evaluate the association between follicular fluid levels of propeptide and mature forms of growth differentiation factor (GDF) 9 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 15 with subsequent oocyte and embryo quality. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Eighty-one infertile patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Intervention(s): The expression levels of the propeptide and mature forms of follicular fluid GDF9 and BMP15 were determined by western blot analysis. The levels of follicular fluid hormones (FSH, E-2, and P) were measured with automated chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassays. Main Outcome Measure(s): The relationships between the levels of GDF9 and BMP15, hormones, oocyte maturation, and embryo quality. Result(s): Mature GDF9 levels were significantly correlated with the nuclear maturation of oocytes. The mean mature GDF9 level was 4.87 +/- 0.60 in the high-embryo-quality group and 1.45 +/- 0.81 in the low-embryo-quality group. There were no statistically significant differences in embryo quality among the patients regarding propeptide GDF9 and BMP15 expression status. There was a negative correlation between follicular fluid levels of P and the mature form of GDF9. Conclusion(s): Higher mature GDF9 levels in the follicular fluid were significantly correlated with oocyte nuclear maturation and embryo quality. (Fertil Steril (R) 2011;95:2274-8. (C)2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)