Marzie Ghorbani - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. Fertility and Infertility Research Centre, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Marzieh Sanoee Farimani - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine School, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. Omid Infertility Centre, Hamadan, Iran.
Iraj Khodadadi - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Sina Mohagheghi - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Iraj Amiri - Fertility and Infertility Research Centre, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Heidar Tayebinia - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

Background: The impaired functions of granulosa cells (GCs) in the delayed development and immaturity of oocytes have been reported in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs). Even with ovarian stimulation, a large number of oocytes in these patients are still in the stage germinal vesicle (GV). Objective: The levels of Smad۲/۳, phosphorylated Smad۲/۳ (P-Smad۲/۳), the expression of SARA, Smad۴, and SMURF۲ genes in the GCs surrounding metaphase II (MII) or GV oocytes in PCOs women were investigated. Materials and Methods: GCs of MII and GV oocytes were isolated from ۳۸ women with PCOs and the expression levels of SARA, Smad۴, and SMURF۲ in surrounding GCs of MII and GV oocytes were determined using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Also, Smad۲/۳ and P-Smad۲/۳ proteins were determined using western blotting. Results: The expression level of SMURF۲ was significantly higher in GCs surrounding GV oocytes compared with that of GCs encompassing MII oocytes (p < ۰.۰۰۱). At the same time, no significant differences were observed in SARA and Smad۴ expression levels in GCs surrounding GV and MII oocytes. A lower level of P-Smad۲/۳ was also found in GCs GV oocytes compared with GCs of MII oocytes (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: It seems that P-Smad۲/۳ plays a role in oocyte development, and the downregulation of this protein is associated with a defect in the maturation of GV oocytes. On the other hand, the upregulation of the SMURF۲ gene also affects the growth process of GCs and the maturation of GV oocytes.

Polycystic ovary, Oocytes, Granulosa cell., تخمدان پلی کیستیک, تخمک, سلول های گرانولوزا.