The Relationship between BPA Concentration Increasing and Changes of the Expression of Notch1-3 and Caspase3/7 Genes in the Cumulus Cells of Infertile Women with Poor Ovarian Response

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BPA concentration and alterations of Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Caspase-3 and Caspase-7 genes expression in the cumulus cells of infertile women with poor ovarian stimulation response (POR) following the antagonist protocol.

In this case-control study performed on 80 POR patients under 35 years of age, with 4-9 oocyte in puncture date, patients were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 40 POR women who used plastic containers and the second group consisted of 40 POR women who used less plastic containers. Changes in the expression of Notch and Caspase genes in cumulus cells were evaluated using Q-PCR technique.

In the POR patients, the expression of Notch1-3 genes in the first group was significantly lower than the second group (p<0.05). In contrast, the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-7 genes in the first group was significantly higher than the second group (p<0.05).On the other hand, in both groups, was a statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) between the expression levels of Notch1-3, Caspase-3 and Caspase-7 genes and quality of Oocytes. Also, concentration of BPA in the follicular fluids of the first group was higher compared to the second group (p<0.05).

Alterations in the expression of Notch and Caspase genes in POR patients are associated with increased BPA concentration. Also, Increasing of the BPA concentration can be considered as an effective factor on the reducing of reproduction and oocyte growth.