MARKER GENES FOR OOCYTE COMPETENCE

摘要

Cumulus cell (CC) gene expression is being explored as an additional method to morphological scoring to choose the embryo with the highest chance to pregnancy. The present invention relates to a novel method of identifying biomarker genes for evaluating the competence of a mammalian oocyte in giving rise to a viable pregnancy after fertilization, based on the use of live birth and embryonic development as endpoint criteria for the oocytes to be used in an exon level analysis of potential biomarker genes. The invention further provides CC-expressed biomarker genes thus identified, as well as prognostic models based on the bio-marker genes identified using the methods of the present invention.

主权项

1. A method for detecting a biomarker gene or its splice variant for evaluating the competence of a mammalian oocyte to lead to childbirth, to implantation, to form a pre-implantation blastocyst or embryo, and/or to lead to fertilization; said method comprising:
using live birth and embryo development as a selection endpoint for the oocyte to be used; making exon level analysis of gene expression in a sample comprising at least one granulosa or cumulus cell associated with the oocyte; making intra-patient based comparison of said exon level analysis of gene expression; and consider only p-values <0.05 in a paired t-test as significant for a biomarker gene in being for evaluating the competence of a mammalian oocyte to lead to childbirth, to implantation, to form a pre-implantation blastocyst or embryo, and/or to lead to fertilization.