Gene Expression and Apoptosis Levels in Cumulus Cells of Patients with Polymorphisms of FSHR and LHB Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization Program

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry : International Journal of Experimental Cellular Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology
Liana BoscoMaria C Roccheri

Abstract

FSH receptor (FSHR) Ala307Thr and Asn680Ser and LHβ chain (LHB) Trp28Arg and Ile35Thr polymorphisms affect the response to pharmacological ovarian stimulation with r-FSH in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART). Here, we evaluated the expression level of selected genes involved in follicle maturation and the possible onset of apoptosis in cumulus cells of patients with single and double FSHR and LHB polymorphisms, as potential markers of oocyte competence. Cumulus cells from 36 stimulated patients were collected and SNP genotyping performed by PCR. Gene expression was evaluated through real-time PCR, and apoptosis estimated via TUNEL assay, and cleaved caspase-3 and pAKT immunostaining. The cumulative data show significant correlations indicating that the genetic alteration of FSHR and/or LHB genes may lead to perturbations of the signaling network programmed to granulosa cell survival and follicle development. Notably, when double heterozygotes were compared to the rest of the patients, a higher level of apoptosis in terms of both DNA fragmentation index and amount of active caspase-3 was observed in cumulus cells. These results may help to define personalized stimulation protocols in ART programs, to increase...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 24, 2018·DNA and Cell Biology·Gustavo Mendonça AndréCaio Parente Barbosa
Aug 19, 2021·Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders·Silvia VannucciniFelice Petraglia

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Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis