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The mitochondrial DNA content of cumulus cells may help predict embryo implantation

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

Abstract

Purpose

The quantification of mtDNA in cumulus granulosa cells (CGCs) surrounding an oocyte has been positively linked with morphological embryonic quality. In the present study, we evaluated the link between the amount of mtDNA in CGCs surrounding an oocyte and the chances for the corresponding embryo of implanting and leading to an ongoing pregnancy.

Methods

This is an observational study, performed on 84 oocyte-cumulus-complexes (OCCs) having led to the replacement of an embryo in the maternal uterus, retrieved from 71 patients undergoing IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm. The OCCs were classified in two groups, one including 26 OCCs having led to an implanted embryo and the other including 58 OCCs having led to a non-implanted embryo. The average mtDNA content of CGCs was assessed by using a quantitative real-time PCR technique.

Results

Significantly higher mtDNA copy numbers in CGCs were associated with implanted embryos than with non-implanted embryos (mean 215 [sd 375] and 59 [sd 72], respectively; p < 104). Multivariate analysis, taking into account the women’s age, the embryo quality, and the AMH level, suggests an independent relationship between the mtDNA content of CGCs and the potential of embryo implantation.

Conclusion

During in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, the probability of the implantation of the embryo appears to be closely correlated to the mtDNA copy numbers in the CGCs. Our results highlight the interest of mtDNA quantification in GCGs as a biomarker of the potential of embryo implantation.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Kanaya Malkani for his critical reading and comments on the manuscript.

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the “Agence de la Biomédecine” – Appel d’Offre Recherche “AMP, diagnostic prenatal et diagnostic génétique” 2017.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MITOLAB, Institut MITOVASC, CNRS 6015, INSERM U1083, Université d’Angers, 49933, Angers, France

    A. Taugourdeau, V. Desquiret-Dumas, V. Procaccio, P. Reynier & P. May-Panloup

  2. Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d’Angers, 49933, Angers, France

    V. Desquiret-Dumas, S. Chupin, V. Procaccio & P. Reynier

  3. SFR ICAT, Université Angers, 49933, Angers, France

    J. F. Hamel

  4. DRCI, Cellule Data Management, CHU Angers, 49933, Angers, France

    J. F. Hamel

  5. Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d’Angers, 49933, Angers cedex 9, France

    L. Boucret, V. Ferré-L’Hotellier & P. May-Panloup

  6. Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d’Angers, 49933, Angers, France

    P. E. Bouet & P. Descamps

Authors
  1. A. Taugourdeau
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  2. V. Desquiret-Dumas
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  3. J. F. Hamel
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  4. S. Chupin
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  5. L. Boucret
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  6. V. Ferré-L’Hotellier
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  7. P. E. Bouet
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  8. P. Descamps
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  9. V. Procaccio
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  10. P. Reynier
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  11. P. May-Panloup
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. May-Panloup.

Ethics declarations

All participants gave their written informed consent, and the study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University Hospital of Angers, France (Numbers DC-2014-2224 and AC-2016-2799).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Cite this article

Taugourdeau, A., Desquiret-Dumas, V., Hamel, J.F. et al. The mitochondrial DNA content of cumulus cells may help predict embryo implantation. J Assist Reprod Genet 36, 223–228 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1348-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1348-5

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