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Respirometric reserve capacity of cumulus cell mitochondria correlates with oocyte maturity

  • Reproductive Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Oocyte competence is critical in success of assisted reproduction. Metabolic signaling between oocyte and cumulus cells within the cumulus-oocyte complex procure oocyte development. This study evaluated the relationship between respirometric activity of cumulus cells and maturity of corresponding oocytes.

Methods

In prospective cohort study, 20 women of age 28–42 undergoing IVF procedure were involved. To evaluate oocyte maturity, the cumulus cells from individual oocytes were assessed flow cytometrically by double labeling of cells with mitochondria specific dyes. The respirometric stress analysis using ATPase inhibitor oligomycin was applied to assess mitochondria metabolic abnormalities.

Results

The cumulus cells from each of 327 oocytes were analyzed. The respirometric index of cumulus cells (O′R) strongly correlates with maternal ovarian reserve, showing to be higher in patients with higher AMH (p < 0.0017). Cumulus cells from immature oocytes had severe mitochondria deficiency, i.e., low O′R, than those from mature oocytes (p < 0.02). No significant difference in respirometric capacity was found between cumulus cells associated with good vs poor-quality embryos.

Conclusions

The oocyte maturity is potentially related to the mitochondria activity of cumulus cells.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Saniya Ossikbayeva for her excellent technical assistance. The support of EMD Serono, Inc. to the Main Line Fertility Center is appreciated. The sponsor has no involvement in experimental design, experimental performance, data analysis, and manuscript generation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Main Line Fertility Center, 825 Old Lancaster Road, Suite 170, Bryn Mawr, PA, 19101, USA

    Sharon H. Anderson & Michael J. Glassner

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Sharon H. Anderson & Michael J. Glassner

  3. Datalogic, Telford, PA, USA

    Andrey Melnikov

  4. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Gary Friedman

  5. Department of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    Zulfiya Orynbayeva

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  1. Sharon H. Anderson
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Correspondence to Sharon H. Anderson or Zulfiya Orynbayeva.

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Conflict of interest

Michael Glassner is a founding partner and the medical director at the Main Line Fertility Center. Other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Anderson, S.H., Glassner, M.J., Melnikov, A. et al. Respirometric reserve capacity of cumulus cell mitochondria correlates with oocyte maturity. J Assist Reprod Genet 35, 1821–1830 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1271-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1271-9

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