Differential expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis pathway in human oocytes obtained from patients with polycystic ovaries.

OBJECTIVE

Follicular development can be disturbed due to many factors, including having polycystic ovaries. Aberrant expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis pathway could lead to aberrant oocyte development. In this study, the gene expression levels of a number of genes that is functioning in steroidogenesis pathway were investigated.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The spare oocytes were collected from NEU Hospital IVF Center following controlled ovarian stimulation cycle. RNA was extracted using RNA/DNA Purification Kit (Norgen, Canada) and reverse transcription was performed using TruScript First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Norgen, Canada). Real time PCR was conducted using LightCycler® 480 SYBR Green I Master (Roche, UK).

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSION

The expression levels of CYP11, CYP17, CYP19, HSD17B1, HSD3B2 and ACTB were detected in human MII stage oocytes obtained from oocyte donors aged between 18-30 years. The number of follicles and oocytes collected from the patients with polycystic ovaries were slightly higher compared to the control group. The expression level of CYP11A1 was shown to be statistically different in the oocytes obtained from the patients who do not have polycystic ovaries (p < 0.05), whereas statistically significant expression levels were observed for CYP17 in the oocytes obtained from patients with polycystic ovaries (p < 0.05). The expression level of HSD17B1 was also shown to be statistically different in the oocytes (p < 0.05). The extrapolation of the results indicates that the genes involved in steroidogenesis pathway are altered in cases of polycystic ovaries. Thus, it may have a role in the development of polycystic ovaries.