Obesity-related alterations in protein expression in human follicular fluid from women undergoing in vitro fertilization

Abstract

Objective: To compare the proteomic composition of follicular fluid from women with normal weight vs. women with obesity but without a history of polycystic ovary syndrome or known ovarian dysfunction undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Patient(s): Eight women with normal weight and 8 women with obesity undergoing in vitro fertilization and without a history of polycystic ovary syndrome, ovulatory dysfunction, diminished ovarian reserve, or known endometriosis were included in the analysis.

Intervention(s): Not applicable.

Main outcome measure(s): Proteomic assessment using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.

Result(s): The mean age of women with normal weight was similar to that of women with obesity (32.9 vs. 32.6 years, not significant). The mean body mass index of women with normal weight was 21.2 kg/m² compared with a body mass index of 37.1 kg/m² in women with obesity. A total of 1,174 proteins were identified with ≥2 peptides present. Twenty-five proteins were found to be significantly altered in the follicular fluid from women with obesity. Of these 25 proteins, 19 were up-regulated and 6 were down-regulated. Notably, C-reactive protein was 11-fold higher in the follicular fluid from women with obesity than in the follicular fluid from women with normal weight.

Conclusion(s): Obesity is associated with dysregulation at the level of the follicle, including alterations in proteins related to inflammation and metabolism. These include proteins with emerging roles in energy homeostasis and follicular regulation.

Keywords: Obesity; follicular fluid; ovary; proteomics.