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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

Published in:

01-06-2019 | Reproductive Physiology and Disease

Gene expression analysis of follicular cells revealed inflammation as a potential IVF failure cause

Authors: Chloé S. Fortin, Arthur Leader, Neal Mahutte, Scot Hamilton, Marie-Claude Léveillé, Marc Villeneuve, Marc-André Sirard

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 6/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Hormonal stimulation prior to IVF influences the ovarian environment and therefore impacts oocytes and subsequent embryo quality. Not every patient has the same response to the same treatment and many fail for unknown reasons. Knowing why a cycle has failed and how the follicles were affected would allow clinicians to adapt the treatment accordingly and improve success rate. This study examines the hypothesis that transcriptomic analysis of follicular cells from failed IVF cycles reveals potential reasons for failure and provides new information on the physiological mechanisms related to IVF failure.

Methods

Follicular cells (granulosa cells) were obtained from IVF patients of four Canadian fertility clinics. Using microarray analysis, patients that did not become pregnant following the IVF cycle were compared to those that did. Functional analysis was performed using ingenuity pathway analysis and qRT-PCR was used to validate the microarray results in a larger cohort of patients.

Results

The microarray showed 165 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the negative group compared to the pregnancy group. DEGs include many pro-inflammatory cytokines and other factors related to inflammation, suggesting that this process might be altered when IVF fails. Overexpression of several factors, some of which act upstream from vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also indicates increased permeability and vasodilation. Some DEGs were related to abnormal differentiation and increased apoptosis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that failure to conceive following IVF cycles could be associated with an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. The findings of this study identify potential failure causes and pathways for further investigation. Stimulatory protocols personalized according to patient response could improve the chances of later success.

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Title: Gene expression analysis of follicular cells revealed inflammation as a potential IVF failure cause
Authors: Chloé S. Fortin
Arthur Leader
Neal Mahutte
Scot Hamilton
Marie-Claude Léveillé
Marc Villeneuve
Marc-André Sirard
Publication date: 01-06-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01447-4

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Gene expression analysis of follicular cells revealed inflammation as a potential IVF failure cause

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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