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Carnitine content in the follicular fluid and expression of the enzymes involved in beta oxidation in oocytes and cumulus cells

  • ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES
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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to study lipid metabolism in oocytes and embryos that is a neglected parameter in human IVF.

Methods

We have tested the total carnitine content (TC) in the follicular fluid of 278 patients (217 non pregnant, 61 pregnant) undergoing IVF.

Results

The follicular fluid TC is neither correlated with the circulating estradiol content in serum nor with the outcome the IVF attempt. Carnitine, through the carnitine shuttle, is a major partner in lipid beta oxidation, metabolic pathway involved in the acquisition of oocyte competence. The expression of carnitine synthesis enzymes and lipid beta oxidation was studied in cumulus cells collected at the time of ovum retrieval and in oocyte. Surprisingly the expression for carnitine synthesis is not detectable in oocytes whereas the enzymes involved in lipid beta oxidation are rather strongly expressed.

Conclusions

The addition of carnitine in oocyte maturation and embryo culture media should not be overlooked.

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Fundings

The work on oocytes microarrays study was funded by Organon France and realized by partnerships (Dr Soularue). The work on cumulus cells mRNA content was sponsored by IBSA, Lugano (Switzerland), thanks to Dr Maurizio Dattilo. The salary of DM was paid by Unilabs, France

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNILABS, Laboratire d’Eylau, 55 Rue St Didier, 75116, Paris, France

    Debbie Montjean, Isabelle Lichtblau & Stephanie Belloc

  2. Laboratoire Dynabio, Clinique du Cotentin, 50120, Equeurdreville, France

    Frida Entezami & Yves Menezo

  3. The Gurgan clinic, Ankara, Turkey

    Timur Gurgan

  4. London fertility associates, Harley Street, London, UK

    Yves Menezo

Authors
  1. Debbie Montjean
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  2. Frida Entezami
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  3. Isabelle Lichtblau
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  4. Stephanie Belloc
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  5. Timur Gurgan
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  6. Yves Menezo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yves Menezo.

Additional information

Capsule

We have tested the total carnitine content (TC) in the follicular fluid of 278 patients undergoing IVF, as carnitine is involved in lipid beta oxidation, participating to the oocyte competence. The follicular fluid TC is neither correlated with the circulating estradiol content in serum nor with the outcome the IVF attempt. . Surprisingly the expression for carnitine synthesis is not detectable in oocytes whereas the enzymes involved in lipid beta oxidation are rather strongly expressed. In conclusion, we think that the addition of carnitine in oocyte maturation and embryo culture media should not be overlooked.

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Montjean, D., Entezami, F., Lichtblau, I. et al. Carnitine content in the follicular fluid and expression of the enzymes involved in beta oxidation in oocytes and cumulus cells. J Assist Reprod Genet 29, 1221–1225 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9855-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9855-2

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