New inflammatory and oxidative stress markers as predictors of human oocyte quality

We are interested in the interrelation among inflammation and oxidative stress in endometriosis, obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome, all conditions associated with unbalanced redox state and inflammation control and also with female infertility/subfertility.

This project aims to determine how aberrant inflammation and/or oxidative stress can alter normal ovarian follicular dynamics resulting in impaired oocyte quality, and associated infertility. Overall, we pretend to identify predictive markers for oocyte maturation, fertilization, embryo quality, and pregnancy rates.

Once fully validated, these new approaches are expected to improve oocyte and embryo selection, leading to improved implantation rates and greater chances of success using elective single embryo transfer.

Relevant publications

• Dissimilar effects of curcumin on human granulosa cells: Beyond its anti-oxidative role.
  Moreira-Pinto B., Costa L., Fonseca B.M., Rebelo I.
  Reprod Toxicol 95, 51-58. 2020
  doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.04.069