Assessment of Extracellular Genomic and Mitochondrial DNA in Follicular Fluid of Women Depending on the Type of Final Oocyte Maturation Trigger in ART Programs.

Abstract

We compared the content of extracellular genomic and mitochondrial DNA (ec-gDNA and ec-mtDNA) in the follicular fluid (FF) of women after using two types of triggers for final oocyte maturation: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). The study included 43 women aged 21-35 years with preserved ovarian reserve according to hormonal profile and ultrasound examination, who were divided into two groups depending on the type of trigger: hCG at a dose of 10,000 IU (group 1; n = 30) and GnRHa at a dose of 0.2 mg (group 2; n = 13). From each patient, a sample of FF was obtained during transvaginal puncture from a dominant follicle without blood admixture. The content of ec-gDNA and ec-mtDNA was measured by qPCR. At the first stage, a positive correlation was found between the content of ec-gDNA and ec-mtDNA and the level of anti-Müllerian hormone, as well as between the level of ec-mtDNA and the number of oocytes. In patients reveiving GnRHa, the level of ec-mtDNA was significantly higher. There were no significant differences between the groups in the level of free ec-gDNA. The identified differences in ec-mtDNA in FF not only indicate different mechanisms of action of the used drugs, but also offer hope for the development of more precise approaches to the use of FF at the embryological stage of ART infertility treatment programs.