Correlation between steroid levels in follicular fluid and hormone synthesis related substances in its exosomes and embryo quality in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic disorder with various manifestations and complex etiology. Follicular fluid (FF) serves as the complex microenvironment for follicular development. However, the correlation between the concentration of steroid in FF and the pathogenesis of PCOS is still unclear. Methods Twenty steroid levels in FF from ten patients with PCOS and ten women with male-factor infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization were tested by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in order to explore their possibly correlation with PCOS. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of core enzymes in steroid synthesis pathway from exosomes of FF were also detected by qPCR. Results The estriol (p < 0.01), estradiol (p < 0.05) and prenenolone (p < 0.01) levels in FF of PCOS group were significantly increased, compared to the normal group, and the progesterone levels (p < 0.05) were decreased in PCOS group. Increased mRNA levels of CYP11A, CYP19A and HSD17B2 of exosomes were accompanied by the hormonal changes in FF. Correlation analysis showed that mRNA levels of CYP11A and HSD17B2 were negatively correlated with percent of top-quality embryos and rate of embryos develop to blastocyst. Conclusion Our results suggest that increased levels of estrogen and pregnenolone in follicular fluid may affect follicle development in PCOS patients, and the mechanism is partially related to HSD17B1, CYP19A1 and CYP11A1 expression change in FF exosomes.

Exosomal miR-143-3p derived from follicular fluid promotes granulosa cell apoptosis by targeting BMPR1A in polycystic ovary syndrome

“…It can deliver miRNAs, mRNAs and proteins involved in follicular development and oocyte maturation 24 , 25 . Previous studies have shown that miRNAs in exosomes derived from human follicular fluid play key roles in steroidogenesis and are closely associated with PCOS 26 , 27 . However, the mechanism of follicular fluid exosomal miRNAs in the pathological process of PCOS, especially in follicular development, is unclear.…”

Follicular Fluid Steroid Levels and Mitochondrial Function from Exosomes Predict Embryonic Development

“…The follicular uid exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation. Transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and western blot analysis are used to characterize exosomes according to our previous study [20]. Total RNA was extracted using TRIzol (Invitrogen), and RNA was then reversetranscribed using SuperScript First-Strand cDNA System (Takara) according to the manufacturer's instructions.…”

Follicular Fluid: A Powerful Tool for the Understanding and Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the prevailing gynecological and endocrine and metabolic disorders among women of reproductive age, representing one of the leading causes of anovulatory infertility. According to the criteria in practice, this disease affects 5% to 20% of women worldwide [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Until today, both the subsequent etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS remain unclear. To reduce the psychological and social pressures that come with this pathology, several studies were conducted to facilitate the diagnosis and treatments [ 1 , 76 ]. Patients with PCOS that undergo assisted reproductive techniques (ART) might present a poor to exaggerated response, low oocyte quality, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, as well as changes in the FF metabolites pattern.…”

“…Patients with PCOS that undergo assisted reproductive techniques (ART) might present a poor to exaggerated response, low oocyte quality, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, as well as changes in the FF metabolites pattern. These abnormalities originate a decrease of MII oocytes and decreased rates for fertilization, cleavage, implantation, blastocyst conversion, poor egg to follicle ratio, and increased miscarriages [ 1 , 2 ]. Over the years, the focus of research shifted from embryo to oocyte quality to optimize IVF outcomes and to improve pregnancy rates.…”