DHEA restores mitochondrial dynamics of cumulus cells by regulating PGAM5 expression in poor ovarian responders

Yung-Ling Hou; Chia-Jung Li; Li-Te Lin; San-Nung Chen; Zhi-Hong Wen; Kuan-Hao Tsui

doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2022.02.008

DHEA restores mitochondrial dynamics of cumulus cells by regulating PGAM5 expression in poor ovarian responders

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Mar;61(2):223-229. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2022.02.008.

Authors

Yung-Ling Hou¹, Chia-Jung Li², Li-Te Lin³, San-Nung Chen⁴, Zhi-Hong Wen⁵, Kuan-Hao Tsui⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan. Electronic address: ylhou@vghks.gov.tw.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan; Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan. Electronic address: nigel6761@gmail.com.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan; Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan. Electronic address: litelin1982@gmail.com.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan. Electronic address: snchen@vghks.gov.tw.
⁵ Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan. Electronic address: wzh@mail.nsysu.edu.tw.
⁶ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan; Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy and Master Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Care, Tajen University, Pingtung County 907, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; College of Health and Nursing, Meiho University, Pingtung 912, Taiwan. Electronic address: khstui@gmail.com.

PMID: 35361380
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2022.02.008

Abstract

Objective: Poor ovarian responder (POR) poses a significant challenge for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Previous studies have suggested that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may improve IVF outcomes in POR. The current study attempts to investigate the clinical benefits of DHEA in POR and the possible mechanism of DHEA on cumulus cells (CCs).

Materials and methods: A total of 60 women who underwent IVF treatment participated, including 22 normal ovarian responders (NORs) and 38 PORs. PORs were assigned to receive DHEA supplementation (n = 18) or not (n = 20) before IVF cycles. For all patients, CCs were obtained after oocyte retrieval. In the CCs, mRNA expression of mitochondrial dynamics relataed genes were measured.

Results: Supplementation of DHEA in POR reduced mitochondrial fission in CCs and decreased the expression of PGAM5 in CCs.

Conclusion: The benefit of DHEA supplementation on IVF outcomes in POR is significant, and this effect may be mediated in part through improved mitochondrial dynamics in CC.

Keywords: Dehydroepiandrosterone; Mitochondria; PGAM5; Poor ovarian responders.

MeSH terms

Cumulus Cells* / cytology
Cumulus Cells* / drug effects
Dehydroepiandrosterone* / pharmacology
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Humans
Mitochondrial Dynamics* / drug effects
Mitochondrial Proteins* / genetics
Ovary
Ovulation Induction*
Phosphoprotein Phosphatases* / genetics

Substances

Mitochondrial Proteins
Dehydroepiandrosterone
PGAM5 protein, human
Phosphoprotein Phosphatases