Biological and physiological characteristics of human cumulus cells in adherent culture condition

Cumulus cells, as oocyte nurse cells, provide a suitable microenvironment with growth factors and cellular interactions required for oocyte maturation. Thus, these cells may serve as a natural niche for studies of female germ cell development. Cumulus cells may help attain a better understanding of the causes of infertility in women and eventually improve the outcomes of cases that respond poorly to standard infertility treatment. The aim of this study was to isolate, culture, and investigate the biological characteristics of human cumulus cells. In this experimental study, cumulus cells were isolated, cultured, and characterized using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses of specific genes including , , , , and The presence of vimentin, a structural protein, was examined via immunofluorescent staining. Moreover, levels of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and progesterone secretion by cumulus cells were measured with ELISA after 2, 4, 12, 24, and 48 hr of culture. In adherent culture, human cumulus cells expressed specific genes and markers as well as secreted AMH and progesterone into the medium. Cumulus cells secrete AMH and progesterone in an adherent culture and might be applicable for maturation (IVM) and gametogenesis (IVG) studies.