In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a widely utilized assisted reproductive technology (ART) that assists infertile couples in achieving pregnancy. However, current methods for evaluating the quality of oocytes collected for fertilization primarily rely on morphological assessments, which are inherently subjective and can lead to variability in outcomes. Improving the accuracy of oocyte quality assessment would not only address ethical concerns by minimizing the number of oocytes retrieved but also enhance the likelihood of successful fertilization and pregnancy.
Follicular fluid (FF), the environment in which oocyte maturation occurs, offers a promising avenue for more objective assessment of oocyte quality. While previous research on FF has largely focused on its proteomic composition, the peptide fraction remains underexplored. Peptides, which are short chains of amino acids, play crucial roles in various biological processes, and their detailed analysis could provide deeper insights into oocyte health and maturation.
To address this gap, our study utilizes advanced mass spectrometry to analyze the peptide fraction of FF, specifically targeting sequences derived from non-canonical protein variants. These non-canonical variants are protein sequences that deviate from the standard structures, arising from unconventional synthesis or processing mechanisms. They are known to influence cellular functions and have implications in various health and disease contexts.
We will collect FF samples from women with endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), as well as from healthy egg donors, to identify key components involved in intrafollicular signaling. This comparative analysis will be conducted using LC-MS/MS followed by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. The goal is to uncover potential biomarkers that correlate with healthy oocytes and reproductive capacity.
In this abstract, we present the findings from our preliminary study, which focused on developing a method for peptide extraction from FF and establishing a robust bioinformatics pathway for analyzing the resulting data. Our preliminary results are promising, demonstrating the feasibility of our approach and laying the groundwork for a more detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis.
The anticipated outcomes of our research include the identification of specific peptides and non-canonical protein variants associated with oocyte quality in the context of endometriosis and PCOS. These findings have the potential to significantly improve the evaluation processes in IVF by providing more objective biomarkers for oocyte quality, ultimately enhancing reproductive outcomes for women undergoing ART. By advancing our understanding of the peptidomic landscape of FF, we aim to contribute to the development of more precise diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies in reproductive medicine.