N-Acetylcysteine Compared to Metformin, Improves The Expression Profile of Growth Differentiation Factor-9 and Receptor Tyrosine Kinase c-Kit in The Oocytes of Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Objective Paracrine disruption of growth factors in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome results in production of low quality oocyte, especially following ovulation induction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of metformin (MET), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and their combination on the hormonal levels and expression profile of GDF-9, BMP-15 and c-Kit, as hallmarks of oocyte quality, in PCOS patients. MaterialsAndMethods This prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial aims to study the effects of Metformin (MET), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and their combination (MET+NAC) on expression of GDF-9, BMP-15 and c-kit mRNA in oocytes (10 at the GV stage, 10 at the MI stage, and 10 at the MII stage from per group) derived following ovulation induction in PCOS. Treatment was carried out for six weeks, starting on the third day of previous cycle until oocyte aspiration. The expression of GDF9, BMP15 and c-kit were determined by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Results The follicular fluid (FF) level of c-Kit protein significantly decreased in the NAC group compared to the other groups. Significant correlations were observed between the FF soluble c-Kit protein with FF volume, androstenedione and estradiol. The GDF-9 expression in unfertilized mature oocytes were significantly higher in the NAC group compared to the other groups (P