Regulation of CYP11A1 Gene by lncRNAs in Human Oocytes Obtained from Patients with Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common premenopausal female disorder characterized by excess level of androgen and ovarian abnormalities. It affects 6 to 20% of women who have not undergone menopause, making it the most common metabolic and endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Every year, a large number of women seek treatment at reproductive clinics for PCOS-related issues. Infertility may be linked to altered gene expression levels in ovarian and oocyte samples. The effects of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on modifying gene expression in human oocytes obtained from patients with polycystic ovaries and patients without polycystic ovaries were investigated in this study. Thirteen metaphase II stage oocytes were obtained from individuals who applied to the Near East Hospital’s in vitro Fertilization (IVF) Clinic in Nicosia, Cyprus. The expression levels of three lncRNAs targeting the CYP11A1 gene were investigated in oocytes by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The result of this study showed that there was no statistically significant ( p > 0.05) change in the expression levels of RP11-573D15.8, RP11-156E8.1, and lnc-CYP11A1-1 between the patients with polycystic ovaries compared to patients without polycystic ovaries, respectively. The lncRNAs of RP11-573D15.8, RP11-156E8.1 and lnc-CYP11A1-1 were shown to regulate CYP11A1 . We have previously shown that this gene is upregulated in oocytes obtained from patients of polycystic ovaries. Thus, lower expression levels of these lncRNAs were expected. However, the results of this study indicates that these lncRNAs do not have a regulatory role on the gene CYP11A1 in oocytes.