New candidate genes to predict pregnancy outcome in single embryo transfer cycles when using cumulus cell gene expression

Objective To relate the gene expression in cumulus cells surrounding an oocyte to the potential of the oocyte, as evaluated by the embryo morphology (days 3 and 5) and pregnancy obtained in single-embryo transfer cycles. Design Retrospective analysis of individual human cumulus complexes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for 11 genes. Setting University hospital IVF center. Patient(s) Thirty-three intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients, of which 16 were pregnant (4 biochemical and 12 live birth). Intervention(s) Gene expression analysis in human cumulus complexes collected individually at pickup, allowing a correlation with the outcome of the corresponding oocyte. Multiparametric models were built for embryo morphology parameters and pregnancy prediction to find the most predictive genes. Main Outcome Measure(s) Gene expression profile of 99 cumulus complexes for 11 genes. Result(s) For embryo morphology prediction, TRPM7, ITPKA, STC2, CYP11A1, and HSD3B1 were often retained as informative. Models for pregnancy—biochemical or live birth—complemented or not with patient and cycle characteristics, always retained EFNB2 and CAMK1D together with STC1 or STC2. Positive and negative predictive values of the live birth models were >85%. Conclusion(s) EFNB2 and CAMK1D are promising genes that could help to choose the embryo to transfer with the highest chance of a pregnancy.