Abstract
Pre-incubation of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COCs) may lead to better function of cumulus cells (CCs) and higher oocyte quality by changing the transcriptomic profile of CCs. 140 cumulus cell samples were isolated from 12 participants and divided into two groups based on pre-incubation time. In the T0 group, the COCs were immediately dissected to separate the CCs from around the oocytes. In the T2 group, CCs were prepared after 2 h of incubation. Then, the transcriptomic profile of the CCs of the non pre-incubation group was compared to the 2-h pre-incubation group. Confirmation of RNA sequencing results was done via qRT‑PCR. The CCs transcriptome analysis showed 17 genes were downregulated and 22 genes upregulated in the T2 group compared to the T0 group. Also, the pathways related to ATP production (oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chain, and Mitochondrial complex I assembly model OXPHOS system), TNF-alpha signaling pathway, and glucocorticoid receptor pathway increased in the T2 group compared to the T0 group. Also, the TGF-β pathway was decreased in the T2 group compared to the T0 group. This study showed that 2 h pre-incubation leads to changes in important pathways in CCs, which positively affects oocyte quality.