Follicular Fluid Oocyte/Cumulus-Free DNA Concentrations as a Potential Biomolecular Marker of Embryo Quality and IVF Outcome

• Published in: BioMed research international Vol. 2014; no. 2014; pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: Vamvakopoulos, N., Messinis, Ioannis E., Dimopoulou, M., Satra, M., Sotiriou, S., Kouris, S., Anifandis, G., Messini, C. I., Dafopoulos, Konstantinos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Puplishing Corporation 01.01.2014; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Apoptosis; Biomarkers - metabolism; Cell-Free System; Chorionic gonadotropin; Clinical Study; Couples; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA - isolation & purification; DNA - metabolism; Drug dosages; Embryo Transfer; Embryos; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fluids; Follicular Fluid - metabolism; Health aspects; Health sciences; Humans; Methods; Oocytes; Oocytes - growth & development; Oocytes - metabolism; Ovulation Induction; Physiological aspects; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Sperm; Studies; Womens health; Greece
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/289306

The present prospective study examined the follicular fluid oocyte/cumulus-free DNA concentrations (ff o/c-free DNA) during ovarian stimulation and the possible association between ff o/c-free DNA and embryological results such as embryo quality and pregnancy rate. Eighty-three women undergoing IV/ICSI-ET treatments were prospectively included in this study. ff o/c-free DNA was determined by conventional quantitative real time PCR-Sybr green detection approach. The 83 ff samples were categorized in two groups: group 1 n=62 with cumulus oocytes complexes (CoCs) ≥2  and group 2 n=21 with CoCs = 1. Group 1 revealed significant higher embryo quality in terms of mean score of embryo transfer (MSET), but lower ff o/c-free DNA concentrations compared to group 2. The two groups showed comparable pregnancy rates (positive hCG and clinical pregnancy). The higher the ff o/c-free DNA concentration, the lower the number of produced oocytes. ff o/c-free DNA did not seem to have any direct role in the IVF outcome. Further research is required to clarify whether ff o/c-free DNA is a biomolecular marker of embryo quality and IVF outcome.