In a nutshell
This article explores the role of miRNA expression in women undergoing in vitro fertilization with different ovarian responses.
Some background
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is when a male sperm fertilizes the females’ egg in a laboratory dish outside the body, and is implanted into the woman's uterus. It is commonly used in infertility. Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is similar but a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) involves the administration of hormones to stimulate the ovaries of a woman to produce eggs, and is often used with IVF or ICSI.
MicroRNA’s (miRNAs) are involved in regulating the expression of certain genes in the body. Genes are passed on by parents and determine how everything in the body develops.
It is thought that miRNAs levels may be different in infertile women with a poor response to COH.
Methods & findings
The current study examined whether miRNA levels were associated with response to COH in women undergoing IVF/ICSI. 189 women treated with COH prior to IVF/ICSI were included in this study. For each patient, miRNA levels were measured during one cycle.
Poor ovarian responders (POR) were defined differently depending on their age. For women 35 years or less, they were POR if they had fewer than 8 oocytes (eggs) retrieved. For women aged 35-37 years, less than 6 oocytes retrieved, those aged 38-48 years, less than 4 oocytes retrieved, and women over 40 years with less than 3 oocytes retrieved.
Cumulus cells surround the oocyte in the ovaries and after ovulation. Samples of these cells were taken from 3 POR’s and 3 good responders.
16 different miRNAs were increased and 88 miRNAs were decreased in POR compared to good responders. A specific type of miRNA called miR-21 was more than 5 times higher in POR than in good responders.
In POR, miR-21-5p was significantly higher than in good responders, while miR-21-3p was significantly lower.
The bottom line
This study concluded that a poor response to IVF is associated with altered miRNA expression in cumulus cells.
What’s next?
Talk to your physician if you would like more information on IVF or have a poor ovarian response.
Published By :
Fertility and Sterility
Date :
Apr 21, 2015
