BMP‐6 and SMAD4 gene expression is altered in cumulus cells from women with endometriosis‐associated infertility

Emily De Conto, Úrsula da Silveira Matte, João Sabino Cunha‐Filho
Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica · 2020 · vol. 100(5) , pp. 868–875 · doi:10.1111/aogs.13931 · PMID:32524577 · W3033769417
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This study found that cumulus cells from women with endometriosis-associated infertility showed reduced expression of BMP-6 and SMAD4 genes compared to controls.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Oocyte competence and quality depend on communication between the oocyte and the cumulus and theca cells. In the preantral phase, the members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily are responsible for this communication and play an important role in folliculogenesis. Members of the TGF-β superfamily are related to endometriosis (overexpression in the ectopic endometrium); however, few studies have explored these proteins as influencing fertility in endometriosis. Considering endometriosis-related infertility and to better understand the role of the TGF-β superfamily members in the antral phase in women with endometriosis, this research investigated the gene expression of the genes for ligands AMH, BMP-6, GDF-9, INHA, INHBB, and TGFβ3; receptors AMHR2, BMPR2, and TGFβR3; and intracellular signalling: SMAD3 and SMAD4. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The gene expression of AMH, BMP-6, GDF-9, INHA, INHBB, TGFβ3, AMHR2, BMPR2, TGFβR3, SMAD3, and SMAD4 in cumulus cells was investigated through quantitative real-time PCR in a case-control study including infertile women with and without peritoneal endometriosis undergoing in vitro fertilization. RESULTS: Age and outcomes of assisted reproduction were similar between the groups (P > .05). However, women with endometriosis showed reduced expression of BMP-6 and SMAD4 (P .05). CONCLUSIONS: The reduced expression of BMP-6 and SMAD4 in women with peritoneal endometriosis compared with the control group indicates that granulosa (cumulus) cell function could be altered in these women.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 Cumulus Cells Endometriosis Gene Expression Infertility, Female Smad4 Protein Adult Anti-Mullerian Hormone Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II Case-Control Studies Cumulus Cells Endometriosis Female Growth Differentiation Factor 9 Humans Infertility, Female Inhibin-beta Subunits Inhibins Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

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