Expression of growth differentiation factor-9 and bone morphogenetic protein-15 in oocytes and cumulus granulosa cells of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the effect of growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) on the development of follicles among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: University Hospital.

Patient(s): Twenty-two oocytes were obtained from 15 patients with PCOS and 67 oocytes from 58 controls. Cumulus granulosa cells (GC) were obtained from 16 patients with PCOS and controls treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Intervention(s): Immunofluorescence combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy and immunocytochemistry were used to analyze the expression of GDF-9 and BMP-15 in oocytes and cumulus GCs.

Main outcome measure(s): To detect the protein expression levels.

Result(s): No significant difference was found in the expression of GDF-9 and BMP-15 in the oocytes and BMP-15 in the cumulus GCs of patients with PCOS and controls. However, the expression of GDF-9 in cumulus GCs of patients with PCOS was decreased significantly compared with controls (8.88 +/- 1.52 vs. 5.01 +/- 0.83).

Conclusion(s): The expression of GDF-9 and BMP-15 in the oocytes of patients with PCOS who received ovulation induction treatment was in the normal range, but the GDF-9 expression in cumulus GCs from patients with PCOS was significantly lower than the normal. Reduced GDF-9 expression in cumulus GCs of patients with PCOS appears to be associated with decreased long-term developmental potential of the oocytes of patients with PCOS.