Notch signaling pathway in cumulus cells reflecting zygote and embryo quality in polycystic ovary syndrome

Purpose The present study aimed to explore the associations between the expression pattern of molecules in the Notch pathway in the cumulus cells of polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) patients and the quality of zygotes and embryos . Methods A total of 200 cumulus complexes surrounding mature oocytes were obtained from 40 patients with and without PCOS undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The expressions of Notch- 1, Notch- 2, and Notch -3 genes were examined by Reverse Transcription Q-PCR assay. Moreover, immunocytochemistry was performed for the expressions of Jagged-1 and Jagged-2 proteins. The correlations between the Notch receptors and their ligand expressions and the qualities of the zygote and embryo were investigated. Results The expression levels of Notch -2, Notch -3 , Jagged-1, and Jagged-2 were significantly lower in patients with PCOS than in normal women ( p