In the ovarian follicle, maturation of the oocyte increases in the presence of somatic cells called cumulus cells (CCs). These cells form a direct barrier between the oocyte and external environment. Thanks to bidirectional communication, they have a direct impact on the oocyte, its quality and development potential. Understanding the genetic profile of CCs appears to be important in elucidating the physiology of oocytes. Long-term in vitro culture of CCs collected from patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation during in vitro fertilization procedure was conducted. Using microarray expression analysis, transcript levels were assessed on day 1, 7, 15, and 30 of culture. Apoptosis and aging of CCs strictly influence oocyte quality and subsequently the outcome of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Thus, particular attention was paid to the analysis of genes involved in programmed cell death, aging, and apoptosis. Due to the detailed level of expression analysis of each of the 133 analyzed genes, three groups were selected: first with significantly decreased expression during the culture; second with the statistically lowest increase in expression; and third with the highest significant increase in expression. COL3A1, SFRP4, CTGF, HTR2B, VCAM1, TNFRSF11B genes, belonging to the third group, were identified as potential carriers of information on oocyte quality.

Department of Anatomy Poznan University of Medical Sciences 6 Swiecickiego St 60 781 Poznan Poland

Department of Histology and Embryology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 6 Swiecickiego St 60 781 Poznan Poland

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital and Masaryk University 20 Jihlavská St 62500 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Toxicology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 30 Dojazd St 60 631 Poznan Poland

Department of Veterinary Surgery Institute of Veterinary Medicine Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun 1 Lwowska St 87 100 Torun Poland

Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology Department of Gynecology Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 33 Polna St 60 535 Poznan Poland

Physiology Graduate Program North Carolina State University Raleigh NC 27695 USA

Prestage Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University Raleigh NC 27695 USA

The School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB25 2ZD UK

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Long-Term In Vitro Culture Alters Gene Expression Pattern of Genes Involved in Ontological Groups Representing Cellular Processes