Abstract
Objective:The follicular fluid (FF) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) seems to exhibit a profile different from that of fertile women, which may be related to folliculogenesis disruption in PCOS patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differentially expressed proteins in the FF of women with PCOS compared to oocyte donors (ODs).Methods:This screening study included thirteen (13) women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles: seven (7) ODs and six (6) PCOS patients. The patients underwent standard ovarian stimulation, and the FF was analysed using ion trap and time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF).Results:The FF of the patients was matched to 229 proteins, with 61 proteins exclusive to the PCOS group, 123 proteins exclusive to the ODs, and 45 proteins found in both groups. We highlight fetuin-A and vitamin D ligand protein, which were exclusively expressed in the PCOS group; Complement C3 overexpressed in the PCOS group; and 26S protease only expressed in the OD group. The canonical pathways LXR/RXR activation, FXR/RXR activation, prothrombin activation are directly related to the disrupted metabolism and increased inflammatory status found in PCOS patients.Conclusions:The findings of the differentially expressed proteins and matched pathways are associated with folliculogenesis, indicating it relevance to oocyte quality.
Highlights
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulation disorder and polycystic ovaries (PCO) and the exclusion of other endocrinopaties (Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Consensus Workshop Group, 2004)
The follicular fluid (FF) of the patients was matched to 229 proteins, with 61 proteins exclusive to the PCOS group, 123 proteins exclusive to the oocyte donors (ODs), and 45 proteins found in both groups
We highlight fetuin-A and vitamin D ligand protein, which were exclusively expressed in the PCOS group; Complement C3 overexpressed in the PCOS group; and 26S protease only expressed in the OD group
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulation disorder and polycystic ovaries (PCO) and the exclusion of other endocrinopaties (Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group, 2004). PCOS was first described eighty years ago (Stein & Leventhal, 1935), its aetiology is not yet fully elucidated, as it is a heterogeneous and complex disorder with metabolic and reproductive implications. It is recognized that the FF from women with PCOS is characterized by deregulated expression of several compounds, including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin-B, activin-A, amphiregulin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2; tumour necrosis factor (TNF), α-induced protein 6 and plasminogen (Ambekar et al, 2015). Previous studies have identified molecules in the FF of PCOS patients that are associated with the deregulation of follicle maturation, this process is not completely understood. We aimed to identify putative differences in the FF profiles of PCOS patients and fertile women, represented by egg donors, using mass spectrometric analysis to better understand the mechanisms that lead to deregulated oocyte development
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