Shorter telomere length of white blood cells is associated with higher rates of aneuploidy among infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization

Predict Value of Relative Telomere Length, TERT, and Follicular Fluid Anti-mullerian Hormone Levels for IVF Outcome in Infertile Women

“…Here, we analysed the correlation between the expression level of major telomerase gene TERT and telomere length in ovarian and embryonic outcome. The results reveals that the relative telomere length of GC samples in the present study is not associated with any measure of ovarian or embryonic performance but age, which was not in accordance with the previous report that GC relative telomere length does not change signi cantly with aging [11]. Rather, TERT is associated with age and ovarian response but not embryonic performance.…”

“…Telomeres are highly preserved nucleoprotein structures of 5-15 kb-long tandem repeat hexanucleotide sequence (TTAGGG) repeats that form protective caps at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes [8][9], playing a vital role in the sequential cycles of cell division and maintenance of chromosomal stability [10]. Progressive shortening of telomeres within granulosa cells because of inadequate DNA repair and long-term oxidative stress has been implied as a main driving factor underlying reproductive aging [11].…”

“…Studies also demonstrated that telomeres in polar bodies from women who conceived after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) was longer compared with those who did not conceived [17]. However, some studies found no signi cant associations between granulosa cells relative telomere length (RTL) and any IVF outcomes [11].The exact correlation between telomere length/telomerase and IVF outcomes remains unclear and deserve further investigation. The granulosa cells (GC) surrounding the oocytes are considered markers for oocyte quality and competence [18], and they assist at the beginning of embryo development [19].This study examines the roles of both GC telomere length and telomerase gene TERT as potential biomarkers of ovarian and embryo performance.…”

Is it in our patients’ blood? On a quest for predictors of blastocysts’ aneuploidy rate

“…In the article ''Shorter telomere length of white blood cells is associated with higher rates of aneuploidy in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization,'' Hanson et al (1) reported an association between the length of white blood cells' (WBCs) telomeres and aneuploidy rate per biopsied blastocysts among 175 infertile women. Apparently, shorter the telomeres, higher the risk of chromosomal missegregation.…”

“…Yet, a common drawback is the large variability of the WBCs' telomere length across individuals and their large dynamicity even in the same individual over a period of time. When Hanson et al (1) analyzed the same feature for cumulus cells' (CCs') telomeres, no association with blastocysts' aneuploidy rate was identified. The study has some limitations, largely highlighted by the investigators themselves: the high rate of inconclusive results; analysis of CCs pooled from cohorts of cumuli rather than single ones; and absence of a significant association when the data were adjusted for maternal age.…”