Telomere attrition across multiple body compartments in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization: discordant length between pregnant and non-pregnant groups

Abstract

Telomeres shorten with cell division. When critically short, they trigger apoptosis and genomic instability. Peripheral leukocyte telomere length(PLTL) is reduced in women with recurrent miscarriges. Shorter telomeres in granulosa cells(GC) has been associated with ovarian insufficiency. Oocytes and polar bodies(PB) from failed IVF cycles also have shorter telomeres. We evaluated telomere length in different tissues including PL, GC, and follicular fluid(FF) in IVF patients.