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Published on: April 14, 2010
Dynactin pathway-related gene expression is altered by aging, but not by vitrification
Marco D'Aurora1, Maria Cristina Budani2, Sara Franchi1
1Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences (DISPUTer), School of Medicine and Health Sciences "G. d'Annunzio" University Chieti-Pescara Italy, Via Dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy; CESI-Met Research Center "G. d'Annunzio" University Chieti-Pescara, Via Luigi Polacchi 1, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
Abstract:
The storage of surplus oocytes by cryopreservation (OC) is a widely used tool in assisted reproductive technology, but there is a great debate about the effects of cryopreservation on oocyte competence. It is known that OC may affect meiotic spindles but remains unclear if OC may increase the risk of aneuploidy. The aim of this study was to test the effects of OC and women aging on the expression of cytokinesis-related genes playing an important role in the segregation of chromosomes (DCTN1, DCTN2, DCTN3, DCTN6 and PLK1). Results highlighted that OC do not modify the expression of the selected genes, whereas women aging modulate the expression of all transcripts, confirming that aging is the crucial factor affecting meiosis and aneuploidy risk. A new role for Dynactin and PLK1 was shed in light, providing information on the ageing process in the oocyte which may be associated to reduced fertility.
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