Oocyte Maturation and miRNAs: Studying a Complicate Interaction to Reveal Possible Biomarkers for Female Infertility
Eleni Nazou,
Anastasios Potiris,
Despoina Mavrogianni,
Eirini Drakaki,
Aris-Anargyros Vogiatzis,
Vaia Sarli,
Tereza Vrantza,
Athanasios Zikopoulos,
Konstantinos Louis,
Chara Skentou,
Periklis Panagopoulos,
Peter Drakakis,
Sofoklis Stavros
Affiliations
Eleni Nazou
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Anastasios Potiris
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Despoina Mavrogianni
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Eirini Drakaki
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Aris-Anargyros Vogiatzis
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Vaia Sarli
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Tereza Vrantza
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Athanasios Zikopoulos
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Konstantinos Louis
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Chara Skentou
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Periklis Panagopoulos
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Peter Drakakis
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Sofoklis Stavros
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Cellular metabolism, apoptosis, fertilization, and proliferation of granulosa cells belong to a battery of processes where microRNAs can be detected and associated with infertility. The aim of the present review is to focus on mammalian oocyte maturation events and the association between oocyte growth and miRNA expression. PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Scopus databases were searched, and 33 studies were included. Regarding the correlation among miRNA expression and the regulation of granulosa cells and cumulus cells, the most important miRNAs were let-7b, let-7c and miR-21. Additionally, the loss of Dicer, an enzyme involved in miRNA biogenesis, is probably a crucial factor in oogenesis, oocyte maturation and embryogenesis. Furthermore, miRNAs interfere with different cellular mechanisms like apoptosis, steroidogenesis, genome integrity, angiogenesis, antioxidative response and, consequently, oocyte maturation. Hence, it is of major importance to clarify the role and mechanism of each miRNA as understanding its action may develop new tools and establish new diagnostic and treatment approaches for infertility and ovarian disorders.
