The expression profile of WNT/β-catanin signalling genes in human oocytes obtained from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic hormonal turmoil that is demonstrated in 2.2-27% of women of pre-menopausal age. This disease is a complex multigenic disorder that results from the interaction between excess androgen expression, genetic susceptibility and environmental influences. PCOS is associated with 40% of female infertility and endometrial cancer. The WNT/beta-catenin signalling transduction pathway regulates aspects of cell proliferation, migration and cell fate determination in the tissue along with early embryonic development and controls the proper activation of the female reproductive system, along with regulating hormonal activity in ovarian granulosa cells. In the current study, we investigated the expression profiles of WNT/beta-catenin signalling pathway genes (AXIN2, FZD4, TCF4, WNT3, WNT4, WNT5A, WNT7A, WNT1, APC, GSK3B and beta-catenin) in a total of 13 oocyte samples. Seven of these samples were from polycystic women and six were from healthy women. The results of this study displayed the absence of expression of AXIN2, FZD4, TCF4, WNT5A, WNT3, WNT4 and WNT7A genes in ovaries from women with PCOS and from healthy women. While APC and beta-catenin expression levels were similar in the oocytes of both patients and controls, conversely, WNT1 and GSK3 beta genes both showed elevated expression in the oocytes of patients with PCOS, therefore suggesting an association between aberrant expression of WNT1 and GSK3 beta and the pathogenesis of PCOS. The observations of the current study could be helpful to provide evidence regarding the pathogenesis of PCOS and its treatment.