Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
Int J Mol Sci. 2020 May 19;21(10):3592. doi: 10.3390/ijms21103592.
Ovarian follicle steroidogenesis associated with embryo quality results in a successful pregnancy. Each follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by granulosa cells, which secrete several steroid and peptide hormones. Follicles harvested from women who conceived after assisted reproductive therapy (ART) had significantly higher estradiol levels in follicular fluids than the follicles from women who failed to conceive after ART. The higher follicular estradiol levels correlate well with successful fertilization following ART. Mitochondria are the central sites for steroid hormone biosynthesis. The first and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones occurs in the mitochondria of granulosa cells. In the present study, we hypothesized that the mitochondria in granulosa cells are critical for maintaining oocyte quality and fertility capacity. This study aims to clarify the relationship between mitochondrial function and granulosa cell steroidogenesis, and the relationship between hormone levels and fertility capacity. Sera, follicular fluids and granulosa cells were obtained from individuals undergoing IVF-ET treatment. The oocyte numbers, oocyte quality, fertilization rate, and pregnancy rate were also recorded. The patients who provided the granulosa cells were further classified into four groups: endometriosis, ovarian endometrioma, endometriosis without ovarian endometrioma, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); patients with other female factor infertility and male factor infertility were used as controls. We measured the levels of estradiol (E2) by radioimmunoassay. Concurrently, we analyzed the mitochondrial mass and membrane potential, and apoptosis by flow cytometry using nonyl acridine orange, TMRE, Annexin V-FITC and PI. Mitochondrial morphology was visualized by transfection with pLV-mitoDsRed. In addition, we assessed the protein levels of steroidogenic enzymes, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) by Western blot. The results showed significantly decreased serum E2 and follicular E2 levels, and decreased IVF outcomes, in the patients with endometriosis. Reduced mitochondrial mass and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential were correlated with lower E2. Furthermore, a significant decrease in StAR and 3β-HSD was found in patients with ovarian endometrioma. The enzyme levels of StAR and 3β-HSD were highly correlated with E2 levels. Finally, elevated cumulus cell apoptosis was found in the patient group with ovarian endometrioma and PCOS. In conclusion, mitochondrial dysfunction of human granulosa cells may contribute to the decline of steroidogenesis, decreased fertilization rate, oocyte maturation rate, and oocyte quality, and it can ultimately jeopardize fertility.
卵巢卵泡类固醇生成与胚胎质量相关,从而实现成功妊娠。每个卵泡由一个卵母细胞和周围的颗粒细胞组成,颗粒细胞分泌多种类固醇和肽类激素。在接受辅助生殖技术 (ART) 后成功受孕的女性的卵泡中,卵泡液中的雌二醇水平明显高于在 ART 后未受孕的女性的卵泡。较高的卵泡雌二醇水平与 ART 后成功受精密切相关。线粒体是类固醇激素生物合成的中心部位。类固醇激素生物合成的第一步和限速步骤发生在颗粒细胞的线粒体中。在本研究中,我们假设颗粒细胞中的线粒体对于维持卵母细胞质量和生育能力至关重要。本研究旨在阐明线粒体功能与颗粒细胞类固醇生成之间的关系,以及激素水平与生育能力之间的关系。我们从接受 IVF-ET 治疗的个体中获得了血清、卵泡液和颗粒细胞。还记录了卵母细胞数量、卵母细胞质量、受精率和妊娠率。提供颗粒细胞的患者进一步分为四组:子宫内膜异位症、卵巢子宫内膜异位瘤、无卵巢子宫内膜异位瘤的子宫内膜异位症和多囊卵巢综合征 (PCOS);其他女性因素不孕和男性因素不孕的患者作为对照组。我们通过放射免疫测定法测量雌二醇 (E2) 水平。同时,我们通过使用吖啶橙、TMRE、 Annexin V-FITC 和 PI 通过流式细胞术分析线粒体质量和膜电位以及凋亡。通过转染 pLV-mitoDsRed 来可视化线粒体形态。此外,我们通过 Western blot 评估了类固醇生成酶、类固醇生成急性调节蛋白 (StAR) 和 3β-羟甾脱氢酶 (3β-HSD) 的蛋白水平。结果显示,子宫内膜异位症患者的血清 E2 和卵泡 E2 水平显著降低,IVF 结局降低。线粒体质量减少和线粒体膜电位降低与 E2 降低相关。此外,卵巢子宫内膜异位瘤患者发现 StAR 和 3β-HSD 显著减少。StAR 和 3β-HSD 的酶水平与 E2 水平高度相关。最后,在卵巢子宫内膜异位瘤和 PCOS 患者组中发现卵丘细胞凋亡增加。总之,人颗粒细胞的线粒体功能障碍可能导致类固醇生成减少、受精率降低、卵母细胞成熟率降低和卵母细胞质量下降,最终危及生育能力。
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