Published date: Nov 10 2024

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 22, Issue No. 9

Pages: 709–716

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v22i9.17475

Fahimeh KabiriDepartment of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

Tahereh Foroutanforoutan@khu.ac.irDepartment of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

Maryam PashaiaslWomen’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Background: Although assisted reproductive technology has been improved, the success rate is only 30%. Since the interaction between oocytes and cumulus cells (CCs) is necessary for the formation of a fertile oocyte, increasing the survival rate of CCs can improve the function of oocytes in infertile women.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) nanocomposite on the biocompatibility and antioxidant activity of human CCs.

Materials and Methods: In this lab-trial study, from July 2021–2023 human CCs were collected from 37 women aged 20–37 yr and cultured in a medium containing Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s/F12, fetal bovine serum (10%), and penicillin-streptomycin (1%). Then CCs were treated with increasing concentrations of nano-MGO for 24, 48, and 72 hr (3[4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and flow cytometry technique were used to compare the survival rate and apoptosis of CCs before and after treatment. Western blot test was used for expressing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant in 2 groups.

Results: The results of the present study showed that treatment with MGO increased the viability of CCs at a concentration of 50 μg/ml after 48 hr (p > 0.01). At higher doses (100 μg/ml) MGO decreased the survival rate of CCs (p > 0.05). Also, treatment with MGO at a concentration of 50 μg/ml increased the expression level of antioxidant protein Nrf2 in human CCs.

Conclusion: Our results highlight the use of MGO in a new strategy that improves CCs viability and secretion of antioxidant protein Nrf2, thereby potentially increasing in vitro fertilization outcomes.

Key words: Magnetic graphene oxide, Cumulus cells, Fertility, Nrf-2, Western blot.

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