Screening of miRNAs in human follicular fluid reveals an inverse relationship between microRNA-663b expression and blastocyst formation

Abstract Research Question Are miRNAs found in follicular fluid related to blastocyst formation from the corresponding oocytes? Design In this study, 91 individual follicular fluid samples from single follicles containing mature oocytes from 91 women were collected and classified into group 1 ( n = 38) with viable blastocysts, and group 2 ( n = 53) with no blastocyst. TaqMan human miRNA cards and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to identify differently expressed follicular fluid miRNAs between the two groups. Results We found MIR-663B to be significantly differentially expressed in follicular fluid of oocytes that yielded viable blastocysts versus those that did not develop into blastocysts (14.16 ± 7.00 versus 23.68 ± 17.02; P = 0.019), as well as for those which develop into blastocysts with good morphology versus those with poor morphology (11.69 ± 3.49 versus 20.16 ± 9.33; P = 0.003). Conclusions MIR-663B expression levels in human follicular fluid samples were significantly negatively related to viable blastocyst formation and may become an objective evaluation criterion for embryo development potential after IVF.