A Comprehensive Overview of Common Polymorphic Variants in Genes Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine-metabolic disorders in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by an increase in the biosynthesis of androgens, anovulation, and infertility. PCOS has been reported as a polygenic entity in which multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the clinical features of the pathology. Herein, we describe the common polymorphic variants in genes related to PCOS, their role in its pathogenesis, and etiology. Whole-genome association studies have been focused on women from Asian and European populations. The most common genes associated with PCOS are DENND1A, THADA, FSHR, and LHCGR. However, other genes have been associated with PCOS such as AMH, AMHR2, ADIPOQ, FTO, HNF1A, CYP19, YAP1, HMGA2, RAB5B, SUOX, INSR, and TOX3. Nevertheless, the relationship between the biological functions of these genes and the development of the pathology is unclear. Studies in each gene in different populations do not always comply with a general pattern, so researching these variants is essential for better understanding of this polygenic syndrome. Future population studies should be carried out to evaluate biological processes, incidence rates, allelic and genotypic frequencies, and genetic susceptibility factors that predispose PCOS.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF): a mediator in endometrial receptivity for a patient with polycystic ovary (PCO) undergoing in vitro maturation (IVM).

Proliferative and secretory changes at the endometrial lining are the result of a complex intrauterine environment where sex steroid hormones and different local factors play an important role for endometrial thickening. Optimal endometrial thickness reflects an adequate maturation which is a key factor for embryo implantation. Here, we present a case of a woman with polycystic ovary who was treated using in vitro maturation (IVM) techniques. In addition, this patient showed a dyssynchrony between the endometrial phase characterised by endometrial thinning and the embryo development which had a negative impact for embryo implantation. A protocol using uterine perfusion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was performed as an alternative treatment for the unresponsive endometrium. We found that uterine infusion of G-CSF quickly increased endometrial thickness resulting in a successful pregnancy and healthy born baby. These results suggest that G-CSF is a factor that participates during endometrial remodelling enhancing the synchronisation between uterine environment and embryo development.

Isolation and derivation of mouse embryonic germinal cells.

The ability of embryonic germinal cells (EG) to differentiate into primordial germinal cells (PGCs) and later into gametes during early developmental stages is a perfect model to address our hypothesis about cancer and infertility. This protocol shows how to isolate primordial germinal cells from developing gonads in 10.5-11.5 days post coitum (dpc) mouse embryos. Developing gonadal ridges from mouse embryos (C57BL6J) were dissociated by mechanical disruption with collagenase, then plated in a mouse embryo fibroblast feeder layer (MEF-CF1) that was previously mitotically inactivated with mitomycin C in the presence of knockout media and supplemented with Leukemia Inhibitor Factor (LIF), basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), and Stem Cell Factor (SCF). Using these optimized methods for PCG identification, isolation, and establishment of culture conditions permits long term cultures of EG cells for more than 40 days. The embryonic germinal cell lines showed embryonic phenotype and expression of common used markers of the pluripotent state. Isolation and derivation of germinal cells in culture provide a tool to understand their development in vitro and offer the opportunity to monitor cumulative damage at genetic and epigenetic levels after exposure to oxidative stress.