Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Mechanisms and Inducing Models of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: July 5, 2024
Evidence for decreased expression of ADAMTS-1 associated with impaired oocyte quality in PCOS patients
1Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, People's Republic of China 510080.
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.
