Metabolomics analysis of human cumulus cells obtained from cumulus-oocyte complexes with different developmental potential. 2023

Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.

Is the abundance of certain biochemical compounds in human cumulus cells (CCs) related to oocyte quality? Malonate, 5-oxyproline, and erythronate were positively associated with pregnancy potential. CCs are removed and discarded prior to ICSI, thereby constituting an interesting biological material on which to perform molecular analysis aimed to predict oocyte developmental competence. Mitochondrial DNA content and transcriptional analyses in CC have been shown to provide a poor predictive value of oocyte competence, but the untargeted analysis of biochemical compounds (metabolomics) has been unexplored. CCs were obtained from three groups of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of known developmental potential: oocytes not developing to blastocyst following ICSI (Bl-); oocytes developing to blastocyst but failing to establish pregnancy following embryo transfer (P-); and oocytes developing to blastocyst able to establish a pregnancy (P+). Metabolomics analyses were performed on 12 samples per group, each sample comprising the CC recovered from a single COC. Human CC samples were obtained from IVF treatments. Only unfrozen oocytes and embryos not submitted to preimplantation genetic testing were included in the analysis. Metabolomics analysis was performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. The analysis identified 98 compounds, five of which were differentially abundant (P < 0.05) between groups: asparagine, proline, and malonate were less abundant in P- compared to Bl-, malonate and 5-oxoproline were less abundant in P- group compared to P+, and erythronate was less abundant in Bl- group compared to P+. No significant association between the abundance of the compounds identified and donor age or BMI was noted. Data dispersion and the lack of coherence between developmental groups preclude the direct use of metabolic markers in clinical practice, where the uterine environment plays a major role in pregnancy outcome. The abundance of other compounds not detected by the analysis may be associated with oocyte competence. As donors were lean (only two with BMI > 30 kg/m2) and young (<34 years old), a possible effect of obesity or advanced age on the CC metabolome could not be determined. The abundance of malonate, 5-oxyproline, and erythronate in CC was significantly higher in COCs ultimately establishing pregnancy, providing clues on the pathways required for oocyte competence. The untargeted analysis uncovered the presence of compounds that were not expected in CC, such as β-citrylglutamate and the neurotransmitter N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate, which may play roles in chromatin remodeling and signaling, respectively. Research was supported by the Industrial Doctorate Project IND2017/BIO-7748 funded by Madrid Region Government. The authors declare no competing interest. N/A.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008314 Malonates Derivatives of malonic acid (the structural formula CH2(COOH)2), including its salts and esters.
D009865 Oocytes Female germ cells derived from OOGONIA and termed OOCYTES when they enter MEIOSIS. The primary oocytes begin meiosis but are arrested at the diplotene state until OVULATION at PUBERTY to give rise to haploid secondary oocytes or ova (OVUM). Ovocytes,Oocyte,Ovocyte
D009866 Oogenesis The process of germ cell development in the female from the primordial germ cells through OOGONIA to the mature haploid ova (OVUM). Oogeneses
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006909 Hydroxyproline A hydroxylated form of the imino acid proline. A deficiency in ASCORBIC ACID can result in impaired hydroxyproline formation. Oxyproline,4-Hydroxyproline,cis-4-Hydroxyproline,4 Hydroxyproline,cis 4 Hydroxyproline
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D054885 Cumulus Cells The granulosa cells of the cumulus oophorus which surround the OVUM in the GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE. At OVULATION they are extruded with OVUM. Granulosa Cells, Cumulus,Cumulus Granulosa Cells,Cell, Cumulus,Cell, Cumulus Granulosa,Cells, Cumulus,Cells, Cumulus Granulosa,Cumulus Cell,Cumulus Granulosa Cell,Granulosa Cell, Cumulus

Related Publications

Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
January 2010, Molecular reproduction and development,
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
January 2015, Theriogenology,
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
October 2022, Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene,
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
June 2020, Systems biology in reproductive medicine,
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
February 2002, Animal reproduction science,
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
April 1986, Human reproduction (Oxford, England),
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
January 2013, Reproduction, fertility, and development,
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
January 1996, Archives of andrology,
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
July 1989, Journal of reproduction and fertility,
Álvaro Martínez-Moro, and Leopoldo González-Brusi, and Ana Querejeta-Fernández, and Ester Padilla-Ruiz, and Javier García-Blanco, and Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
February 2003, Human reproduction (Oxford, England),
Copied contents to your clipboard!