Evidence for Decreased Expression of ADAMTS-1 Associated With Impaired Oocyte Quality in PCOS Patients

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 99; no. 6; pp. E1015 - E1021
• Main Authors: Xiao, Shan, Li, Yubin, Li, Tao, Chen, Minghui, Xu, Yanwen, Wen, Yangxing, Zhou, Canquan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Endocrine Society 01.06.2014; Copyright by The Endocrine Society
• Subjects: ADAM Proteins - genetics; ADAM Proteins - metabolism; ADAMTS1 Protein; Adult; Cells, Cultured; Down-Regulation; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Granulosa Cells - metabolism; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; Oocyte Retrieval; Oocytes - metabolism; Oocytes - pathology; Ovulation Induction; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - genetics; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - pathology; Pregnancy; Quality Control
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-4177

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of dysfunctional ovulation-affecting female fertility. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-like motifs (ADAMTS-1) is required for normal ovulation and subsequent fertilization, and the expression of ADAMTS-1 may be altered in PCOS granulosa cell (GC)-reflecting abnormalities in ovulatory signaling. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the differential expression of ADAMTS-1 in PCOS patients associated with impaired oocyte quality. Design and Setting: A prospective comparative experimental study was performed at a clinical reproductive medicine center. Patients: Women with PCOS (n = 40) and normovulatory controls (n = 40) undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro fertilization were recruited in our study. Main Outcome Measures: Differential expression of ADAMTS-1 in GCs was analyzed with immunocytochemistry in PCOS patients and normal controls, and ADAMTS-1 mRNA expression was quantified by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the correlation between ADAMTS-1 mRNA and oocyte quality was analyzed. Results: The expression of ADAMTS-1 was decreased in PCOS patients compared with normally ovulating women and was closely related to lower oocyte recovery, oocyte maturity, and fertilization rate. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that the dysregulated expression of ADAMTS-1 in PCOS may influence oocyte quality-via GCs-oocyte paracrine and endocrine mechanism.