High expression of CFTR in cumulus cells from mature oocytes is associated with high-quality of oocyte and subsequent embryonic development

The purpose of this study was to explore the association of expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in cumulus cells (CCs) from mature oocytes with oocyte quality and embryonic development.A total of 338 infertile women who underwent ovarian stimulation cycle of oocyte retrieval in Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The relative mRNA expression levels of CFTR, bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) in CCs were detected by qPCR technology. ROC curve was applied for the diagnosis of oocyte maturation. The serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), EThe mRNA expression levels of CFTR in CCs were significantly increased in metaphase II (MII) oocytes compared to that in metaphase I (MI) or germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. The ROC curve analysis illustrated that CFTR mRNA expression could efficiently discriminate MII oocytes from MI or GV oocytes (AUC = 0.954), and revealed that 0.695 RQU is the optimal cut-off value for diagnosis. So the cut-off value of 2This study suggests that CFTR expression in CCs is associated with the developmental potential of human oocytes.