• John M Twigt, Karel Bezstarosti, Jeroen Demmers, Jan Lindemans, Joop S E Laven, and Régine P Steegers-Theunissen.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
• Eur. J. Clin. Invest. 2015 Aug 1; 45 (8): 833841833-41.

BackgroundThe investigation of the human follicle fluid proteome has gained much interest in the search of new markers as predictors for in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment outcome. Follicular fluid folate, as substrate of one carbon (1-C) metabolism, affects follicular metabolism and oocyte and embryo quality. From this background, we aim to identify a folate-related follicle fluid proteome that associates with IVF/ICSI treatment outcome.MethodsIn a nested case-control study embedded in a periconception cohort, we performed qualitative and quantitative proteomic analyses using nanoflow LC-MS/MS and TMT labelling in 30 monofollicular fluid samples from women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment of which 15 used and 15 did not use a folic acid supplement. The protein data are analysed using scaffold proteome Software and differential abundances are expressed as Log2-fold change. Blood samples were obtained before and after treatment for determination of biomarkers of 1-C metabolism and estradiol.ResultsWe identified 227 uniquely expressed proteins in follicular fluid. In folic acid supplement users compared to nonusers, we established a lower abundance of C-reactive protein (-2.03; P = < 0.01) and higher abundances of apolipoproteins from high-density lipoprotein (HDL), most notably A-I (+1.28; P = < 0.01) and C-I (+1.11; P = 0.016).ConclusionPreconception folic acid supplement use is associated with suppression of the inflammatory pathway and upregulation of the HDL pathway in human follicular fluid, being a preferential source of cholesterol for steroid hormone synthesis. Studies are needed on the tissue specificity and on the beneficial effects of embryo quality and IVF/ICSI treatment outcome of the proteome of these pathways.© 2015 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.

42 keywords...

hide…