Proteomic analysis of human follicular fluid from polycystic ovary syndrome patients

Comparative proteomic profiling of human follicular fluid (HFF) from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS patients who displayed low levels of fertility was carried out via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with mass spectrometry. HFF, an important reproductive fluid, was used for the proteomic analysis of PCOS patients to determine the effect of PCOS on folliculogenesis. HFF was obtained from 10 women (average age, 35 years) undergoing in vitro fertilization at two hospitals. The proteins of HFF were separated using 2-DE analysis and validated by Western blot assay. Approximately 250 protein spots were separated on the 2-DE gel. Among them, the expression levels of seven proteins were found to change at least 1.5-fold in the PCOS patient group. Three protein spots, albumin, uncharacterized protein 1, and uncharacterized protein 2, were downregulated in PCOS patients. However, four protein spots, gelsolin, vitamin D binding protein, serum albumin, and complement factor B, were upregulated in PCOS patient group. These proteins may serve as a panel of potential pathological biomarkers during fertilization and oocyte development.