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Journal of Ovarian Research

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Assessment of Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 and Versican gene expression profile from the cumulus cells: association with better in vitro fertilization outcomes

Authors: Azucena Ocampo, Jeimy Pedraza, Ginna Ortiz, Elizabeth Hernández-Pérez, Leonardo Porchia, Esther López-Bayghen

Published in: Journal of Ovarian Research | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Current methods for determining superior embryo quality (morphological assessment) are unable to compensate for poor pregnancy outcomes. Due to the importance of the cumulus-oocyte complex and the value of cumulus cells (CCs) as markers of embryo health, we determined the association between the CCs gene expression of the Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 (PTGS2) and Versican (VCAN) with pregnancy.

Methods

One hundred forty-nine women, suffering from infertility and undergoing IVF, were included in this study (age: 29–46 years; BMI = 25.5 ± 5.0 kg/m²). Patients underwent a standard IVF protocol. CCs were isolated during oocyte retrieval, and their RNA was isolated using Trizol. The mRNA expression of PTGS2, VCAN, and L19 was measured by qPCR. The PVL index, (PTGS2 + VCAN)*L19_normalized, was determined for each oocyte. Clinical pregnancy was confirmed by β-hCG and the presence of a fetal heartbeat. Associations were determined by ROC curves or logistic regression.

Results

There was no correlation between the PVL index and morphological scores. Using only single embryo transfers (SETs), we determined that the PVL index was associated with pregnancy (β-hCG: AUC = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.74–1.00) with an optimal cutoff value of 58.2. Using the complete cohort (consisting of SETs, and patients with 2, 3, or 4 embryos transferred), the presence of at least one embryo with a PVL index score ≥ 58.2 was associated with a greater probability of achieving pregnancy (β-hCG: odds ratio = 17.15, 95%CI: 6.82–43.18, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Transferring at least one embryo with a PVL index score ≥ 58.2, generates a higher chance of achieving pregnancy.

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Title: Assessment of Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 and Versican gene expression profile from the cumulus cells: association with better in vitro fertilization outcomes
Authors: Azucena Ocampo
Jeimy Pedraza
Ginna Ortiz
Elizabeth Hernández-Pérez
Leonardo Porchia
Esther López-Bayghen
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Ovarian Research / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1757-2215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-018-0456-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Assessment of Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 and Versican gene expression profile from the cumulus cells: association with better in vitro fertilization outcomes

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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