Metabolism of renin-angiotensin and enkephalin in human follicular fluid: An experimental study

Background: The relationship between the biochemical characteristics of follicular fluid (FF), oocyte quality and embryonic development has not yet been elucidated. We compared samples of FF with a normal metabolic profile against samples with metabolic abnormalities to identify potential predictive biomarkers of reproductive success. Objective: To analyze peptide activity in the FF of women undergoing in vitro fertilization using ۳ samples of FF per individual. Materials and Methods: FF samples were obtained by ovum pick-up. Pathological samples were defined as samples of FF obtained from women with a gynecological condition or with infertility. A total of ۳۰ women participated in this study. ۳ samples of FF were obtained per individual (۹۰ samples), but ۸ samples were excluded because they were hemolyzed. The samples (n = ۸۲ FF) included controls (n = ۳۶, donors without fertility problems), women with endometriosis (n = ۱۵), unexplained infertility (n = ۱۹), and aged > ۳۹ (n = ۱۲). We assessed local encephalinergics: aminopeptidase-N (puromycin sensitive aminopeptidase and neutral endopeptidase; and components of the angiotensin system of the reproductive tract: prolyl-endopeptidase, APN, aspartate-aminopeptidase, and basic-aminopeptidase. Results: No differences were observed in peptide metabolism based on the presence or absence of oocytes in the FF. Women with endometriosis and aged > ۳۹ yr showed alterations in puromycin sensitive aminopeptidase (p = ۰.۰۱), aminopeptidase-B (p = ۰.۰۱), aspartate-aminopeptidase (p < ۰.۰۰۱) and neutral endopeptidase (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: This study reveals alterations in the metabolism of enkephalin and angiotensin in pathological FF, which points to these components as potential diagnostic biomarkers.

Keywords:

Follicular fluid , Peptides , Ovarian diseases , Women , Endometriosis , Infertility. , مایع فولیکولی , پپتیدها , بیماری های تخمدان , زنان , آندومتریوز , ناباروری.