Autophagy activity is increased in the cumulus cells of women with poor ovarian response
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Autophagy is activated but blocked in cumulus cells (CCs) of women with poor ovarian response (POR). This may contribute to the pathogenesis of POR, impacting fertility.
Area Of Science
- Reproductive biology
- Cellular biology
- Autophagy research
Background
- Cumulus cells (CCs) are crucial for oocyte development and function.
- Understanding CCs' cellular status is vital for diagnosing and treating infertility.
- Poor ovarian response (POR) is a significant challenge in assisted reproductive technologies.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the autophagy status in CCs of women experiencing POR.
- To compare autophagy markers between women with POR and normal ovarian response (NOR).
Main Methods
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for ultrastructural analysis of autophagy.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess autophagy-related gene expression.
- Western blotting to evaluate autophagy marker protein levels.
Main Results
- TEM revealed abundant autophagosomes and signs of autophagic cell death in POR group CCs.
- No significant difference in LC3 and P62 mRNA levels between POR and NOR groups.
- BCL2 mRNA was downregulated in POR group CCs.
- Increased LC3 II/I ratio and P62 protein expression observed in POR group CCs, indicating blocked autophagic flux.
Conclusions
- Autophagy is upregulated but autophagic flux is impaired in CCs of women with POR.
- The dysregulation of autophagy in CCs may play a role in the pathogenesis of POR.
- These findings offer potential targets for improving ovarian response in fertility treatments.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Related Concept Videos
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle...
Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...
The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...