Excess Weight Impairs Oocyte Quality, as Reflected by mtDNA and BMP-15

Abstract

This prospective, case-control study evaluated the impact of obesity on oocyte quality based on mtDNA expression in cumulus cells (CC), and on bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15) and heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2) in follicular fluid (FF). It included women 18 to <40 years of age, divided according to BMI < 24.9 (Group 1, n = 28) and BMI > 25 (Group 2, n = 22). Demographics, treatment, and pregnancy outcomes were compared. The mtDNA in CC, BMP-15, HSPG2, the lipid profile, the hormonal profile, and C-reactive protein were evaluated in FF and in blood samples. The BMP-15 levels in FF and the mitochondrial DNA in CC were higher in Group 1 (38.8 ± 32.5 vs. 14.3 ± 10.8 ng/mL; p = 0.001 and 1.10 ± 0.3 vs. 0.87 ± 0.18-fold change; p = 0.016, respectively) than in Group 2. High-density lipoprotein levels in blood and FF were higher in Group 1 (62 ± 18 vs. 50 ± 12 mg/dL; p = 0.015 and 34 ± 26 vs. 20.9 ± 7.2 mg/dL; p = 0.05, respectively). Group 2 had higher blood C-reactive protein (7.1 ± 5.4 vs. 3.4 ± 4.3 mg/L; p = 0.015), FF (5.2 ± 3.8 vs. 1.5 ± 1.6 mg/L; p = 0.002) and low-density lipoprotein levels (91 ± 27 vs. 71 ± 22 mg/dL; p = 0.008) vs. Group 1. Group 1 demonstrated a trend toward a better clinical pregnancy rate (47.8% vs. 28.6%: p = 0.31) and frozen embryo transfer rate (69.2% vs. 53.8; p = 0.69). Higher BMI resulted in lower BMP-15 levels and reduced mtDNA expression, which reflect decreased oocyte quality in overweight women.

Keywords: BMI; BMP-15; HSPG2; body mass index; mtDNA; obesity; oocyte quality; overweight.

Figure 1

Scatterplot and boxplot correlation of BMP-15 and BMI.

Figure 2

Boxplot showing the fold change expression of mtDNA according to BMI.