Publicou 4 edições por ano
ISSN Imprimir: 2155-014X
ISSN On-line: 2155-0158
Cumulus Cell Genes as Potential Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of the Quality of Oocytes and Embryos
RESUMO
The review presents recent data on genes that are potential biomarkers for selection of oocytes and embryos in the program of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The selection of embryos with high implantation potential is the most important task in assisted reproductive technologies. Today, selection of embryos is based on subjective morphological criteria, such as growth rate, early cleavage, the degree of fragmentation, and blastocyst formation. However, the morphological assessment alone fails to predict accurately embryo competence. So, the development of objective, accurate, fast, and acceptable tests to determine oocyte quality and embryo viability could increase the chance of a successful pregnancy and reduce the number of embryos grafted. New technologies, the so-called OMIKS, allow to identify novel biomarkers that can be used in a cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for oocyte and / or embryo selection. During folliculogenesis, an oocyte plays a dominant role in regulation of cumulus (CC) and granulosa cell (GC) functions, and it is consequently believed that functions of GC and CC indirectly reflect oocyte's competence. Since cell functions and active cell processes are regulated through gene expression, gene expression analysis in GC and/or CC could provide a noninvasive method for identification of the most competent oocytes and embryos. In cumulus cells, genes characterizing the oocyte ability to undergo meiotic maturation, successful fertilization, and early embryonic development have been identified, including cyclooxygenase 2, gremlin 1, and hyaluronan synthase-2 which play an important role during oocyte development, ovulation, and fertilization.