Purpose
In vitro
maturation (IVM) of human oocytes offers an invaluable opportunity for infertility treatment. However,
in vitro
matured oocytes often show lower developmental abilities than their
in vivo
counterparts, and molecular mechanisms underlying successful maturation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles of
in vitro
matured oocytes at the single‐cell level to gain mechanistic insight into IVM of human oocytes.
Methods
Human oocytes were retrieved by follicular puncture and
in vitro
matured. In total, 19 oocytes from 11 patients were collected and subjected to single‐cell RNA‐seq analyses.
Results
Global gene expression profiles were similar among oocytes at the same maturation stage, while a small number of oocytes showed distinct transcriptomes from those at the corresponding maturation stage. Differential gene expression analysis identified hundreds of transcripts that dynamically altered their expression during IVM, and we revealed molecular pathways and upstream regulators that may govern oocyte maturation. Furthermore, oocytes that were delayed in their maturation showed distinct transcriptomes. Finally, we identified genes whose transcripts were enriched in each stage of oocyte maturation.
Conclusions
Our work uncovers transcriptomic changes during human oocyte IVM and the differential gene expression profile of each oocyte.
and the parent-infant relationship index, a validated measurement of the relationship between the child and the parent(s) (Dev Med Child Neurol 2017;59:477-483). They found that both of these had an association on cognitive outcomes, of a similar magnitude to SGA birth. One of their conclusions was that more focus should be spent on optimizing these potentially modifiable social factors through intervention. This seems like an appropriate conclusion, although in our US society, these substantial changes in social outcomes are not easily addressed. Although perhaps with the major cultural shifts that seem to potentially be happening, maybe in fact we will see some improvements in the outcomes for these vulnerable patients.-MEN)
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