Apoptosis and pAKT levels in cumulus cells of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization program with specific polymorphisms of gonadotropins and their receptors: a case-control study

Study question Is there a difference in oocyte competence among patients with different gonadotrophin polymorphisms, after ovarian stimulation with r-FSH? Summary Answer Higher DNA Fragmentation Index and cleaved caspase-3 related to lower level of pAKT has been observed in patients with specific gonadotrophin polymorphism (FSHR and LHB). What is known already • In our experience, the DFI, the percentage of cleaved caspase-3 and the pAKT on cumulus cells can be used as molecular markers of oocyte competence; • The polymorphic variant of LHB is characterized by an extra glycosylation signal into the β subunit. This molecular variation influences the pharmacokinetic properties of v-betaLH, showing an elevated bioactivity in vitro, but a significantly shorter half-life in circulation if compared with the wild type LH. These patients show sub-optimal ovarian response after pharmacological ovarian stimulation with r-FSH; We know that FSH receptor (FSHR) variants, Thr307/Asn680 and Ala307/Ser680, are involved in the response to ovarian stimulation. Study design, size, duration The aim of the study was to determine the apoptosis levels (in terms of percentage of DNA fragmentation and percentage of cleaved caspase-3) and the pAKT levels as potential markers of oocyte competence in the cumulus cells of individual patients with specific FSHR and LHB polymorphisms. It was a retrospective study. It was included 36 patients. The duration of the study was 12 months. Participants/materials, setting, methods Patients were normo-responder patients with a normal basic level of FSH (