proteoglycanases downregulation with impaired oocyte quality in PCOS.

OBJECTIVE

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 () and normal expression levels are essential for ovulation and subsequent fertilization. The objective of the present study was to assess expression pattern of these genes in cumulus cells (CCs) taken from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to investigate any possible relationship with the oocyte quality.

METHODS

and expression levels within CCs containing oocytes at the metaphase II (MII) and germinal vesicle (GV) stages, taken from 35 patients with PCOS and 35 women with normal ovarian function, were investigated using RT-qPCR. Moreover, possible correlations between , , and progesterone receptors (PRs) expression as well as oocyte quality were evaluated.

RESULTS

and expression levels were dramatically diminished in the CCs of the PCOS patients when compared to the controls. and expression levels were correlated with each other and with the oocyte quality. Furthermore, lower expression levels of and in the PCOS patients were strongly correlated with the diminished PRs expression levels.

CONCLUSION

Downregulation of and in the human CCs of the PCOS patients correlated with the decline in the expression, and impaired oocyte quality may cause lower oocyte recovery, maturation, and fertilization rate.