Abstract
Recent research findings have highlighted the pivotal roles played by lncRNAs in both normal human development and disease pathogenesis. LncRNAs are expressed in oocytes and early embryos, and their expression levels change dynamically once the embryonic genome is activated during early human embryonic development. Abnormal expression of lncRNAs was found in follicular fluid, granulosa cells and oocytes of patients, and these lncRNAs were related to cell proliferation and apoptosis, nuclear maturation and follicle development. The expression levels of some lncRNAs in cumulus cells demonstrate correlations with the quality of oocytes and early embryos. This paper aims to present a comprehensive overview of the influence of LncRNAs on the developmental process of human oocytes as well as their involvement in certain infertility-related diseases.
Abbreviations
LncRNA, long non-coding RNAs; GC, granulosa cell; FSH, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; MGC, mural granulosa cell; CC, Cumulus cell; PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome; ceRNA, competing endogenous RNA; 2PN, two pronucleuses; POF, premature ovarian failure; AMH, anti-Mullerian hormone; PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen; bPOI, biochemical ovarian insufficiency; DOR, diminished ovarian reserve; OHSS, Ovarian Hyper-stimulation Syndrome; ROMA, recurrent oocyte maturation arrest; GV, germinal vesicle; MI, metaphase; MII, metaphase II; LH, Luteinizing Hormone; Hcg, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin; PFA, primordial follicle activation.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.