Expression pattern of olfactory receptor genes in human cumulus cells as an indicator for competent oocyte selection

Abstract

Odorant or olfactory receptors are mainly localized in the olfactory epithelium for the perception of different odors. Interestingly, many ectopic olfactory receptors with low expression levels have recently been found in nonolfactory tissues to involve in local functions. Therefore, we investigated the probable role of the olfactory signaling pathway in the surrounding microenvironment of oocyte. This study included 22 women in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle. The expression of olfactory target molecules in cumulus cells surrounding the growing and mature oocytes was evaluated by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, integrated bioinformatics analyses were carried out and 6 ectopic olfactory receptors were selected for further evaluation. The initiation of olfactory transduction cascade in cumulus cells of competent oocytes was confirmed by analyzing the expression of adenylyl cyclase type 3 and olfactory market protein. Moreover, the expression pattern of the selected olfactory receptors was evaluated and OR10H2 was selected due to a high level of expression in mature fertile oocytes. We suggested that OR10H2 could be considered as a reliable biomarker for oocyte selection in assisted reproduction technique programs. However, further studies are required to elucidate the role of olfactory transduction cascade in embryo quality and implantation.

Metabolic signatures in human follicular fluid identify lysophosphatidylcholine as a predictor of follicular development

“…In particular, OLFR gene suppression can lead to decreased sperm chemotaxis ability and inability to track oocyte for fertilization, thus reducing male fertility 69 . Moreover, in the female reproductive system, the olfactory pathway is mainly activated in the cumulus cells of competent MII oocytes and plays critical roles in maturation, along with AC3 and OMP 70 . Meanwhile, the decrease of expression of VNNs in SFs which are pantetheinases that hydrolyse pantetheine to pantothenic acid was also included in the omics integration 71 , indicating that the increase of pantetheine in SFs might be caused by the decreased hydrolysis due to the changed expression of VNNs, thus providing novel insights into the mechanism underlying the metabolite changes.…”

Genomic characterization of the world’s longest selection experiment in mouse reveals the complexity of polygenic traits

“…Interestingly, analysis of private SVs detected a 317-bp deletion affecting Olfr279 (Additional file 4 : Data S15). This gene has been associated to mouse male sub-fertility [ 70 ] and more generally, olfactory receptors could regulate fertilization [ 71 , 72 ].…”

Genomic characterization of world’s longest selection experiment in mouse reveals the complexity of polygenic traits

“…Interestingly, analysis of private SVs detected a 317bp deletion affecting Olfr279 (Supplementary Data 8). This gene has been associated to mouse male sub-fertility 85 and more generally, olfactory receptors could regulate fertilization 86,87 .…”

“…This gene has been associated to mouse male sub-fertility 85 and more generally, olfactory receptors could regulate fertilization 86,87 .…”