Female infertility is associated with an altered expression of the neurokinin B/neurokinin B receptor and kisspeptin/kisspeptin receptor systems in ovarian granulosa and cumulus cells.
Blasco. Victor V; Pinto. Francisco M FM; Fernández-Atucha. Ainhoa A; González-Ravina. Cristina C; Fernández-Sánchez. Manuel M; Candenas. Luz L
Key Findings
- Infertile women showed lower expression of KISS1, TAC3, and TACR3 in granulosa and cumulus cells versus healthy donors.
- Advanced maternal age, endometriosis, and low ovarian response each had distinct expression patterns for these genes.
- The altered kisspeptin and neurokinin signaling may contribute to reduced fertility in these groups.
Practical Outcomes
- At present the findings do not translate into a specific treatment or supplement regimen. They suggest that the kisspeptin pathway could be a future target for fertility interventions, but more research is needed before biohackers can apply this information in real‑world protocols.
Summary
The study found that women with infertility have different levels of the kisspeptin gene (KISS1) and related neurokinin genes in the cells that surround the egg, compared to healthy egg donors. These differences were especially noticeable in older women, those with endometriosis, and women who respond poorly to ovarian stimulation.
Abstract
To analyze and compare the expression profile of TAC3, TACR3, KISS1, and KISS1R in mural granulosa and cumulus cells from healthy oocyte donors and patients with different infertility etiologies, including advanced maternal age, endometriosis, and low ovarian response. Genetic association study. Private fertility clinic and public research laboratory. Healthy oocyte donors and infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. IVF. Gene expression levels of KISS1, KISS1R, TAC3, and TACR3 in human mural granulosa and cumulus cells. Infertile women showed statistically significantly altered expression levels of KISS1 (-2.57 ± 2.30 vs. -1.37 ± 2.11), TAC3 (-1.21 ± 1.40 vs. -1.49 ± 1.98), and TACR3 (-0.77 ± 1.36 vs. -0.03 ± 0.56) when compared with healthy oocyte donors. Advanced maternal age patients, endometriosis patients, and low responders showed specific and altered expression profiles in comparison with oocyte donors. Abnormal expression levels of KISS1/KISS1R and TAC3/TACR3 systems in granulosa cells might be involved in the decreased fertility associated to advanced maternal age, endometriosis, and low ovarian response.
Study Information
pubmed
2020
2020-08-15T00:00:00.000Z
10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.05.006
21
51