Analysis of global gene expression patterns in cumulus cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines in follicular fluid in adolescents undergoing fertility preservation

Many oncology treatments, while life-saving, can affect a survivor’s reproductive health. Oncofertility has emerged as a new field which addresses future fertility of these patients. Egg cryopreservation, following controlled ovarian stimulation, prior to gonadotoxic treatments is currently the clinical standard for preserving fertility in postpubertal patients. Egg cryopreservation is also the typical technique of choice for fertility preservation in patients with gender dysphoria who will undergo a female to male transition. Because the field has historically utilized egg cryopreservation for adults, it is unclear if the oocytes and eggs collected in this adolescent population have the same reproductive capacity or if our expectations and metrics of success for these stimulation cycles should be adjusted. The developmental potential of these cryopreserved eggs is largely unknown. However, there are limited studies suggesting that there may be biological differences between eggs cryopreserved at this very young age compared to adult patients. We hypothesize that there will be differences in the global gene expression patterns within cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte and in cytokine signature of the follicular fluid from adolescent patients versus adult patients. We will perform this analysis using next generation sequencing technology (RNA-seq) and targeted protein arrays.