Uncoupling protein-2 expression in granular cells and embryo development in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycle / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the expression of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) in the granular cell of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and explore its role in embryo development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this prospective study, the levels of UCP2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by the chemiluminescence method in the granular cell of 53 women.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Women with low UCP2 level had higher ROS level, suggesting an inverse relationship between them (r=-0.578, P<0.01), and their oocyte development was impaired. Granular cells of elder women exhibited lowered UCP2 expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The granular cells increase UCP2 expression to suppress the elevation of intracellular ROS level through a feedback mechanism and therefore protect the oocytes against oxidative stress.</p>