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In vitro evaluation of exocytosis-associated SNARE molecules in human granulosa cells in polycystic ovary syndrome

  • Reproductive physiology and disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Patients with polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) make up 20% cases for assisted reproductive technology (ART). Folliculogenesis is impaired in PCOS. Signaling molecules are involved in follicle development. Dysregulations of intrafollicular environment and signaling molecules are observed in PCOS. Granulosa cells (GCs) and oocytes secrete molecules into follicular fluid by exocytosis of SNAREs. The aim of this study is to evaluate vesicle transport and vesicle fusion proteins (SNAREs) in GCs from PCOS patients who have undergone IVF treatment.

Methods

Follicular fluids were collected from patients who undergo IVF/ICSI with the diagnosis of male factor (n = 10) and PCOS (n = 10) patients. GCs were separated and cultured. Each group of GCs was stimulated with FSH-hCG. The cells were examined under electron microscope. Immunofluorescent labeling was performed on cells for Stx6, SNAP25, StxBP1, FSHr, and KITL. Integrated density was analyzed from images of Stx6, SNAP25, StxBP1, FSHr, and KITL.

Results

Intercellular communication occurs by signal molecules; Stx6, SNAP25, and StxBP1 fusion proteins involved in exocytosis were decreased in the GCs of PCOS. There was no increase in in vitro stimulation with FSH-hCG either. In the electron microscope, it was observed that exocytosis of the vesicles was disrupted.

Conclusions

Exocytosis and vesicular dynamics are among the basic physiological functions of human steroidogenic granulosa cells. Follicle development is necessary for production of competent oocytes and ovulation. Understanding the pathophysiology of PCOS at follicular level is important for disease management. According to our findings, deficits in vesicular dynamics of human granulosa cells in may be central to the treatment strategy for PCOS patients.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, [SFM]. The data are not publicly available due to the privacy of research participants.

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Funding

This study was supported by Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Grant numbers: TSA-2019-18196).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Suleyman Erol, Selim Zırh, Lale Karakoc Sokmensuer & Sevda F. Muftuoglu

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Gurkan Bozdag

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  1. Suleyman Erol
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by SE, SZ, LKS, GB, and SFM. The first draft of the manuscript was written by SE and SFM. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. GB: data collection; SE: project development, protocol, data analysis, manuscript writing; SFM: supervision, project development, protocol, data management and analysis, manuscript editing; LKS: protocol, data collection; SZ: protocol, data analysis.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sevda F. Muftuoglu.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Non-interventional Clinical Research Ethics Board of Hacettepe University provided approval for conducting this study (GO 19/678, 2019/16-09).

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Erol, S., Zırh, S., Bozdag, G. et al. In vitro evaluation of exocytosis-associated SNARE molecules in human granulosa cells in polycystic ovary syndrome. J Assist Reprod Genet 41, 49–61 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-023-02967-w

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