Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the metabolic profiles in the follicular fluid (FF) samples from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to analyze the correlations with follicular development.MethodsThe FF samples were obtained from participants (N = 26) who were receiving IVF under the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol stimulation and were collected separately from small (8–13 mm) and large (17–22 mm) follicles at the time of oocyte retrieval. Metabolomic analysis of the FF samples was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).ResultsThe results demonstrated that the size of the follicle influences the metabolic signature of the FF according to the profile and differential metabolites. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is enriched in steroid hormone biosynthesis, correlated negatively with the oocyte maturation rate and the high-quality embryo rate, and thus could be used to estimate the predictive diagnostic potential of follicular development.ConclusionThe FF has different metabolic characteristics in different stages of follicular development. Exploring meaningful metabolites could predict follicular development, and modifications of these metabolites could influence follicular development.
Highlights
To investigate the metabolic profiles in the follicular fluid (FF) samples from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to analyze the correlations with follicular development
The results demonstrated that different stages of follicular development influenced the metabolic signature of the FF, as profiled by LC-MS/MS
We further investigated the potential relationship between metabolites in the FF and the clinical epidemiological information of the participants, and found that DHEA correlated positively with Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and negatively with the oocyte maturation rate and the high-quality embryo rate
Summary
To investigate the metabolic profiles in the follicular fluid (FF) samples from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to analyze the correlations with follicular development. Metabolomics comprehensively investigates all metabolic fingerprints, which can reflect the current state of organisms directly and accurately, thereby helping to understand biological processes and mechanisms more effectively. Metabolites, as the downstream products in system biology, influence cellular metabolism and reflect the overall outcome of biological events [1]. Scholars have used metabolomics to reveal the physiological state of organisms and to identify possible biomarkers for fertility research [2]. As the immediate and necessary microenvironment of oocytes, follicular fluid (FF) provides nutrients and growth factors that promote oocyte growth, development, and viability by accumulating products from all types of metabolism [4, 5].
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