Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound particles actively released by cells. In prokaryotes and eukaryotes, EVs are effective bridges for communication between cells. EVs carry biological macromolecules, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acid, which affects different physiological functions of parent cells and recipient cells. Among them, the microRNA carried by EVs is the most reported and plays an important role in physiological function of organisms. During the development of follicles, only a few follicles can fully develop and ovulate, whereas most of them undergo atresia at different stages of development. In the whole process of follicular development, the changes at each stage and the regulation mechanism of follicular atresia are not completely understood. In this paper, we introduced the types, characteristics, isolation methods and uses of EVs, and emphasized how microRNA carried by EVs in follicular fluid regulated follicular atresia from the aspects of different cytokines and hormones. Additionally, the application prospect of microRNA carried by EVs in follicular fluid in reproductive regulation and reproductive disease diagnosis was discussed. This paper is significant for studying the regulation of follicular development and the effective utilization of oocytes.
Animals ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Female ; Follicular Atresia ; Follicular Fluid ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Oocytes

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) refer to bilayer membrane transport vesicles secreted by cells. EVs can take macromolecules from cells and transfer them to receptor cells. Among these macromolecular substances, the most studied are microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNA is non-coding RNA involved in the regulation of gene expression. It has been confirmed that there are different non-coding RNAs in mammalian follicular fluid EVs. EVs carrying miRNA can act as an alternative mechanism for autocrine and paracrine, affecting follicular development. This paper systematically introduced the kinds, characteristics and methods of isolation and identification of EVs, focusing on the effects of EVs and miRNAs on follicular development, including early follicular development, oocyte maturation, follicular dominance and effects on granulosa cell function. At the same time, the authors prospected the future research of EVs and microRNAs in follicular fluid, and provided ideas and directions for the research and application of EVs and miRNA functions in follicular fluid.
Animals ; Extracellular Vesicles ; metabolism ; Female ; Follicular Fluid ; chemistry ; Granulosa Cells ; drug effects ; MicroRNAs ; pharmacology ; Oogenesis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study clinical efficacy of smoothing Gan reinforcing Shen (SGRS) method in treating poor response of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) patients in in vitro fertilization and embryo, transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSTotally 84 DOR patients undergoing IVF-ET were assigned to the experimental group (SGRS Chinese herbs as adjuvant therapy) and the control group according to random digit table, 42 in each group. Patients in the control group received controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and IVF-ET. Those in the experimental group additionally received basic formula of SGRS method, one dose per day. The dose and use time of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH) were recorded during ovarian stimulation process. On the injection day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and serum levels of estradiol (E2) on the oocyte retrieval day were determined using chemiluminescent method. E2 contents in the follicular fluid on the oocyte retrieval day were detected using ELISA. The total number of retrieved oocytes, the number of mature oocytes in metaphase II (M II), the number of normal fertilization [with two pronucleus (2PN)], the number of portable embryos, and the number of good quality embryos were recorded. The correlation between Chinese medical adjuvant therapy and the aforesaid indices were observed. The clinical pregnancy rate and the abortion rate were finally compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total dose of r-FSH, the E2 level on HCG injection day, the serum E2 level on the oocyte retrieval day, the number of retrieved oocyte, the number of oocytes in M II the number of oocytes with 2PN, the number of portable embryos, and the number of good quality embryos were all positively correlated with Chinese medical adjuvant therapy (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, serum E2 levels on the HCG injection day and the oocyte retrieval day obviously increased, the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of oocytes in M II, and the number of portable embryos were increased more in the experimental group with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical significance in the clinical pregnancy rate or the abortion rate between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSGRS Chinese herbs as adjuvant therapy could improve ovarian responsiveness of DOR patients undergoing IVF-ET, increase the number of retrieved oocytes, elevate the quality of oocytes and the number of embryos.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; therapeutic use ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Follicular Fluid ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

This prospective study investigated the relationship between anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level in the follicular fluid (FF) and the quality of the oocyte and embryo. A total of 65 FF samples from 54 women were included in this study. FF was collected from the largest preovulatory follicle sized> or =20 mm of mean diameter from each ovary. Samples were divided into 3 groups according to the FF AMH levels: below the 33th percentile (low group, FF AMH<2.1 ng/mL, n=21), between the 33th and the 67th percentile (intermediate group, FF AMH=2.1-3.6 ng/mL, n=22), and above the 67th percentile (high group, FF AMH>3.6 ng/mL, n=22). The quality of the ensuing oocytes and embryos was evaluated by fertilization rate and embryo score. FF AMH levels correlated positively with the matched embryo score on day 3 after fertilization (r=0.331, P=0.015). The normal fertilization rate was significantly lower in the low group than in the intermediate group (61.9% vs. 95.5% vs. 77.3%, respectively, P=0.028). Our results suggest that the FF AMH level could be a predictor of the ensuing oocyte and embryo quality.
Adult ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone/*analysis ; Embryo, Mammalian/*cytology ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid/*metabolism ; Humans ; Oocytes/cytology ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Bushen Tiaojing Recipe (BTR) on the quality of oocytes, reproductive hormones, and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15) of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients.

METHODSSixty infertility patients who prepared for IVF-ET were assigned to two groups according to the treatment order, the treatment group [20 cases, treated with BTR + controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH)] and the control group (treated with COH alone, 40 cases). Age, the time limit for infertility, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH) concentration, usage days and the dosage of gonadotropins (Gn), serum levels of estradiol (E2), luteotropic hormone (LH), and progesterone (P) on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved occytes, the fertilization rate, the number of embryos, the high quality embryo rate, and the clinical pregnancy rate were compared. Concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH, E2, testosterone (T), and P in the follicular fluid were detected via chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in mature granulosa cells was detected by real-time fluorescent PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThirty-two patients were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 53.3%. Of them, 19 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 47.5% in the control group, while 20 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 65.0% in the treatment group. But there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Gn dosage was lower and the high quality embryo rate was higher in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum concentrations of E2, LH, or P on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved oocytes, or the fertilization rate (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, FSH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly lower and LH concentrations were significantly higher in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The LH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).There was no statistical difference in E2, T, or P concentrations (P > 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). It was also higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDuring the IVF-ET process, BTR could elevate the quality of oocytes, and increase the sensitivity of ovarian follicles to exogenous Gn, which was correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells, and changing concentrations of FSH and LH.

Adult ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Transfer ; Estradiol ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; metabolism ; Oocytes ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; blood ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Liuwei Dihuang Granule ([symbols; see text], LDG) for tonifying Kidney (Shen) on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization pre-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) of infertility women with Kidney-yin deficiency syndrome and to explore its mechanism by detecting the proteome expression in the follicular fluid.

METHODSSixty-six infertility patients of Kidney-yin deficiency syndrome who would undergo IVF-ET, were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group according to a random number table, 33 cases in each group. Another 33 cases of non-Kidney-yin deficiency syndrome was taken as a syndrome-control group. Besides Western routine therapy, LDG was given 3 menstrual cycles before IVF to the treatment group, and a placebo granule to the control and syndrome-control groups. The scores of Kidney-yin deficiency symptoms (sore waist and knees, dry vagina, dysphoria with feverish sensation in the chest, palms and soles, etc.) were assessed, the number of retrieved oocytes, rates of high quality oocytes and embryos, fertility rate and clinical pregnancy rate were recorded, and the follicular fluid was collected on the day when the ovum was picked up, the differential protein expression was detected using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and then, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was applied to identify the proteins.

RESULTSThe syndrome score in the treatment group decreased significantly from 16.09±2.58 to 8.67±2.13, while it changed insignificantly in the control group, with a significant difference in the lowering score between the two groups (P<0.05); the high quality rates of oocytes and embryos and clinical pregnancy rate were all superior in the treatment group to the control group (82.29% vs 78.08%, 76.76% vs 68.79%, 63.64% vs 36.36%, all P<0.05). The protein expression map from the follicular fluid showed that compared with the control group, 33 differential protein expressions were found in the syndrome-control group, among which 18 were down-regulated, and 15 up-regulated; in the treatment group 28 differential protein expressions were found, among which 15 were down-regulated, and 13 up-regulated. Through MALDI-TOF-MS, 14 proteins were identified (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor the infertility patients undergoing IVF, LDG could alleviate clinical symptoms, improve rates of high quality oocytes and embryos, so as to raise clinical pregnancy rate. The mechanism may be through regulating proteome expression in the follicular fluid to improve the developmental microenvironment for oocytes which would lead to a successful embryo implantation.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Holistic Health ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; metabolism ; therapy ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Oocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; metabolism ; Placebos ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Proteomics ; methods ; Yin Deficiency ; metabolism ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in the follicular fluid and serum with the outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSSerum and follicular fluid samples were obtained from 30 patients with PCOS and 34 healthy women (control) undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET in our center between October, 2007 and January, 2008. All the subjects received treatment with long luteal-phase down-regulation and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocol in IVF cycles, and their clinical characteristics were analyzed. The AMH levels in the serum and follicles fluid samples collected on the day of oocyte retrieval were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

RESULTSThe two groups showed no significant differences in the mean age, baseline levels of sex hormones, rate of high-quality embryos, implantation rate, pregnancy rate, abortion rate or ongoing pregnancy rate (P>0.05). Despite a significantly lower total gonadotropin dose, PCOS group had a significantly greater number of antral follicles than the control group (P<0.05). The recovery rates of oocytes in PCOS group were significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). AMH levels in the serum and follicle fluid was significantly higher in PCOS group than in the control group (P<0.05), and in both groups, AMH levels in the follicular fluid were significantly higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women (P<0.05). AMH level in the follicular fluid was significantly correlated with the implantation rate in both PCOS and control groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAMH level in the serum and follicle fluid on the day of oocyte retrieval is predictive of the treatment outcome of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in POCS patients but not of pregnancy outcomes after IVF-ET.

Adult ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; blood ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; metabolism ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome

BACKGROUNDThe mechanisms of endometriosis with infertility have not been fully studied. The present study aimed to assess the follicular fluid (FF) levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which plays a critical role within the ovary, and to investigate the effect of PGE2 on steroidogenesis in granulosa-lutein cells (GLCs) from women with and without endometriosis.

METHODSThirty-three women with laparoscopically documented endometriosis and 40 controls undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) were studied. We assayed the concentrations of PGE2 in FF, the production of E2 and progesterone in FF and in culture medium, and the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and CYP19A1 in GLCs with the intervention of PGE2.

RESULTSPGE2 and progesterone concentrations were increased and displayed positive correlation in endometriotic FF. PGE2 induced the expression of StAR and the production of progesterone in GLCs from women with endometriosis, and the expression of StAR and the production of progesterone were increased in GLCs from women with endometriosis. However, there were no significant effects of PGE2 on promoting the production of E2 or the expression of CYP19A1 in GLCs. Moreover, the production of E2 and the expression of CYP19A1 in GLCs from women with endometriosis were significantly decreased compared to the controls.

CONCLUSIONSPGE2 concentrations are increased in endometriotic FF, along with concomitant increases in progesterone and StAR. In contrast, the E2 and CYP19A1 are decreased in GLCs, which may delay the development of the follicles and cause an imbalance in the follicular steroid hormone levels. These changes may have close relationship with endometriosis-associated infertility.

Adult ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Embryo Transfer ; Endometriosis ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Luteal Cells ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: To investigate the direct relationship between the follicular fluid (FF) level of soluble human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) and fertilizability of the corresponding oocyte as well as the morphological quality of the corresponding embryo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients were stimulated with recombinant FSH combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist long (n=5) or antagonist protocol (n=58) for standard in vitro fertilization (IVF). At the time oocyte retrieval, follicular fluid was obtained from single dominant follicle in 63 patients, and the level of soluble HLA-G was measured by sandwich enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Normal fertilization and individual embryo quality were evaluated, and were graded to four categories by morphological criteria (the embryo with symmetrical blastomeres and no fragmentation were assigned as grade A). Good-quality embryo was defined as those with grade A or B. RESULTS: Soluble HLA-G was not detected in 15 FF samples. In the group with positive FF soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) (n=48), high levels of sHLA-G (>117.758 U/mL) could predict the failure of fertilization with statistical significance {area under the curve (AUC) 0.676, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.525-0.804}. However, the FF sHLA-G level was not related with the formation of good-quality embryo. CONCLUSION: High level of FF sHLA-G could predict the fertilization failure of the corresponding oocyte, but was not related with the formation of good-quality embryo.
Adult ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Follicular Fluid/*metabolism ; HLA-G Antigens/*metabolism ; Humans ; Oocytes/*cytology/physiology ; Ovarian Follicle/*cytology/physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Chinese drugs for supplementing qi-blood and nourishing Gan-Shen (CD) on transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF beta1) and sex hormone levels in the follicle fluid of women during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle.

METHODSEighty-six women undergoing IVF-ET were randomly assigned to two groups, 45 in the CD group and 41 in the control group. All received the standard regimen for promoting ovulation, but to women in the CD group, 1-week treatment of Cuhuangti Granule was administered during the period of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) down-regulation, and Jinghou Zengzhi Granule was given from time of ovulation promoting with Gn to the day of HCG administration. On the day of oocyte retrieval, TGFbeta1 was detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), estradiol (E2), progestone (P), and luteinizing hormone (LH) detected by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSFollicle fluid contents of TGFbeta1 and LH in the CM group (3.25 +/- 1.11 pg/L and 0.89 +/- 0.45 IU/L) were obviously higher than those in the control group (2.21 +/- 1.08 pg/L and 0.57 +/- 0.42 IU/L, both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese drugs for supplementing qi-blood and nourishing Gan-Shen could significantly improve TGFbeta1 and LH levels in the follicle fluid of women, thus enhancing the embryo implantation rate.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult