Exposure to lipid-rich follicular fluid is associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and impaired oocyte maturation in cumulus-oocyte complexes Xing Yang, M.D., Ph.D., Linda L. Wu, Ph.D., Lindsay R. Chura, Xiaoyan Liang, M.D., Michelle Lane, Ph.D., Robert J. Norman, M.D., Rebecca L. Robker, Ph.D. Fertility and Sterility Volume 97, Issue 6, Pages 1438-1443 (June 2012) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.02.034 Copyright © 2012 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions
Figure 1 Identification of lipid-rich and lipid-poor follicular fluids. Levels of triglyceride and free fatty acids in follicular fluid are statistically significantly correlated (P<.001 by Spearman correlation). Samples with the highest levels of these lipids (squares; n = 8) and the lowest levels (triangles; n = 8) were identified, and equal volumes from two or three women (those with identical symbols) were pooled. Each color indicates samples that were used in independent experiments (n = 3) for the in vitro maturation of mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes. Fertility and Sterility 2012 97, 1438-1443DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.02.034) Copyright © 2012 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions
Figure 2 Effects of maturation in lipid-rich follicular fluid (FF) on mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). (A) Oocyte neutral lipid content is increased in COCs matured in lipid-rich follicular fluid (high-lipid FF) compared with COCs matured in lipid-poor follicular fluid (low-lipid FF). Mean ± SEM; n = 18–22 COCs per treatment group. Expression of lipid droplet protein (B) perilipin-2 and the endoplasmic reticulum stress markers (C) Atf4, (D) Atf6, and (E) Grp78 is increased in COCs matured in high-lipid FF. Mean ± SEM; n = 3 independent experiments using different follicular fluid pools and ≥35 COCs per treatment group. (F) Oocyte maturation to MII is impaired in COCs matured in high-lipid FF. Mean ± SEM; n = 3 independent experiments using different follicular fluid pools and ≥17 COCs per treatment group. For each assay, ovulated COCs obtained from the mouse oviduct (in vivo matured) were also included. Different letters indicate significant differences by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A,B,C,E P<.05; D P<.01; F P<.0001. Fertility and Sterility 2012 97, 1438-1443DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.02.034) Copyright © 2012 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions