Impact of Amphiregulin on Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Quality: Insights from Clinical and Molecular Perspectives.

Abstract

Introduction: Identifying non-invasive biomarkers which can predict the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is crucial, particularly in Germany where the challenges are intensified by the Embryo Protection Act. Recent research has highlighted biomarkers within the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family as central to follicular processes, although their predictive utility remains a subject of debate in the literature. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the significance of amphiregulin concentrations in follicular fluid and gene expression in mural granulosa cells on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo quality.

Patients and methods: A total of 33 women were recruited at the University Clinic of Saarland Fertility Center (Homburg, Germany). Follicular fluid aspiration consisted of single/individual aspiration of follicles, enabling a 1 : 1 correlation with retrieved oocytes. Follicular fluid and mural granulosa cell samples from 108 oocytes were analyzed. Amphiregulin levels were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while gene expression was analyzed with the StepOnePlus Real-Time PCR System using TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix assays.

Results: Results showed that amphiregulin concentrations affect oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo quality, while luteinizing hormone concentrations influence oocyte maturation, with significant differences identified between fertilized/unfertilized and good/poor embryo groups. Amphiregulin expression significantly impacts oocyte maturation, with downregulation observed in immature oocytes, while luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor expression showed no significant differences between groups and did not influence maturation, fertilization, or embryo quality.

Conclusion: These findings are very important for advancing infertility treatment, especially in Germany. The results for amphiregulin may provide prognostic insights which could be useful when selecting viable oocytes and embryos. This research underscores the importance of non-invasive biomarkers for optimizing ICSI outcomes and potentially enhancing the success rates of assisted reproductive technology.