Autophagy activity is increased in the cumulus cells of women with poor ovarian response

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the autophagy status of cumulus cells (CCs) in women with poor ovarian response (POR). Materials and methods: CCs were divided into normal ovarian response (NOR) group and POR group. The ultrastructure of autophagy was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (NOR: n = 18, POR: n = 26). The mRNA and protein of autophagy markers were detected by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (NOR: n = 15, POR: n = 19) and Western blotting (NOR: n = 41, POR: n = 38), respectively. Results: Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated abundant autophagosomes and even autophagic death in the POR group. There were no differences in LC3 and P62 mRNA expression between the two groups (p > 0.05). The BCL2 mRNA expression was lower in the POR group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the LC3 II/I ratio and the P62 protein expression were significantly higher in the POR group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Autophagy in CCs of POR women is activated and the autophagic flux is blocked. The up-regulation of autophagy in CCs may be related to the pathogenesis of POR.

Keywords

• Autophagy
• Cumulus cells
• Infertility
• Poor ovarian response
• Transmission electron microscopy