Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in follicular fluid and cumulus cells and its relationship with age

Oocyte quality deteriorates with female age and numerous indicators of oocyte quality exist. In the present study, the levels of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in the follicular fluid (FF) and cumulus cells (CCs) of infertile females in 3 different age groups were assessed to determine the relationship between CFTR and female age. The general features of the 3 groups, including age, body mass index, infertility duration, basal hormone levels and the number of retrieved oocytes were compared. The FF CFTR levels of the 3 groups were also compared and multiple age-related indicators of oocyte quality were analyzed, including the estradiol levels on the human chorionic gonadotropin injection day, the morphologically normal oocyte rate and the available or high-quality embryo rate. Immunofluorescence and PCR analyses were performed to examine CFTR expression in CCs around oocytes. The results indicated differences in general features and several indicators of oocyte quality among the 3 groups and significant differences in CFTR. The FF CFTR level was positively correlated with age, which was confirmed by immunofluorescence and PCR. Collectively, these results indicated that CFTR expression in FF and CCs may be associated with oocyte quality based on the age of individuals undergoing the assisted reproduction technique.