{"paper_id":"a7cfb1e0-3117-4ea1-abc4-52c17b808282","body_text":"Determination of Apoptotic Pathways in Ovarian Folicular Fluid of Infertile Patients With Endometrioma in Relation to Follicular Atresia\nThe authors confirm that the ethical policies of the journal, as noted on the journal's author guidelines page, have been adhered to and the appropriate ethical review committee approval has been received. The study conformed to the US Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects.\nFunding: This study was supported by the Gazi University Projects of Scientific Investigation of Gazi University Scientific Research Projects Unit with the project code number TCD-2022-7464.\nABSTRACT\nProblem\nEndometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to pelvic pain and infertility. Recent studies have indicated that immunological, endocrine, biochemical, and genetic irregularities, along with suboptimal quality of oocytes, embryos, and the endometrial environment, significantly impact infertility associated with endometriosis. Ectopic endometrial cells in endometriosis have the capacity to avoid apoptosis. Therefore, apoptosis has supposed to play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of apoptosis-related genes—specifically, Caspase 3 (CASP3), Caspase 8 (CASP8), Caspase 9 (CASP9), BCL-2, BCL2L1, BAX, BAK, PERFORIN, and GRANZYME B (GrB)—in follicular fluid (FF) and infertility.\nMethod of Study\nThe mRNA expression levels of the aforementioned genes were analyzed in FF obtained during the oocyte pick-up procedure following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization due to infertility.\nResults\nWe found that the presence of endometrioma correlates with altered mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes in FF. Specifically, pro-apoptotic genes exhibited significantly higher expression levels (p < 0.05), while anti-apoptotic genes like BCL-2 and BCL2L1 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) as compared to controls. These results suggest a potential link between these gene expression alterations and infertility.\nConclusion\nThis preliminary study provides important insights into the mRNA expression levels of genes involved in apoptosis. The findings may reveal potential therapeutic targets within the apoptosis pathway for the treatment of infertility in women with endometrioma.\nConflicts of Interest\nThe authors declare no conflicts of interest.\nData Availability Statement\nThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.","source_license":"public-domain-us","license_restricted":false}