Context:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of dysfunctional ovulation-affecting female fertility. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-like motifs (ADAMTS-1) is required for normal ovulation and subsequent fertilization, and the expression of ADAMTS-1 may be altered in PCOS granulosa cell (GC)-reflecting abnormalities in ovulatory signaling.

Objective:

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the differential expression of ADAMTS-1 in PCOS patients associated with impaired oocyte quality.

Design and Setting:

A prospective comparative experimental study was performed at a clinical reproductive medicine center.

Patients:

Women with PCOS (n = 40) and normovulatory controls (n = 40) undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro fertilization were recruited in our study.

Main Outcome Measures:

Differential expression of ADAMTS-1 in GCs was analyzed with immunocytochemistry in PCOS patients and normal controls, and ADAMTS-1 mRNA expression was quantified by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the correlation between ADAMTS-1 mRNA and oocyte quality was analyzed.

Results:

The expression of ADAMTS-1 was decreased in PCOS patients compared with normally ovulating women and was closely related to lower oocyte recovery, oocyte maturity, and fertilization rate.

Conclusion:

Our study provides evidence that the dysregulated expression of ADAMTS-1 in PCOS may influence oocyte quality-via GCs-oocyte paracrine and endocrine mechanism.

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