Expression of genes in the AKT signalling pathway in human oocytes from patients with polycystic ovaries.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder commonly found among females of reproductive age. Different factors have been correlated with this syndrome, although the aetiology of the disease is still unrecognized with both environmental and hereditary factors leading to the progression. Hormonal effects of the AKT pathway have made it an interesting study unit for PCOS cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of genes involved in the AKT pathway, including IRS1, IRS2, AKT1 and AKT2. In total, 13 human oocytes were collected for this study at the meiosis II stage, in which seven of them were collected from individuals with polycystic ovaries and the rest formed the control group of individuals with no signs of polycystic ovaries. RNA was extracted from oocytes and then the RNA was converted into cDNA for the real-time PCR process. Expression levels of four genes in the AKT pathway, in addition to housekeeping gene (ACTB), were evaluated. Expression levels of each gene were quantified using real-time PCR and statistical analysis was performed. The results of this study showed that there was no significant correlation between the expression of genes in oocyte samples obtained from patients with polycystic ovaries and the control group. This study is the first to evaluate the expression levels of genes involved in the AKT pathway in human oocyte samples. Therefore, it provides crucial information to form the basis of further studies.

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.