Abstract:

Metabolomics provides a new method for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases by qualitative and quantitative analysis of all small molecular metabolites, and by those metabolites related to physiological and pathological changes. The development of oocyte depends on the microenvironment such as follicular fluid and cumulus cells. In the process of oocyte development, the microenvironment provides energy and nutrition for the oocyte, and eliminates harmful metabolites to reduce the damage to the oocyte. The decrease of fertility in elderly women is manifested by the decrease of ovarian reserve function and oocyte quality. With the increase of age, the metabolomics of oocyte microenvironment changes, such as glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and protein metabolism. These microenvironment changes affect the oocyte development, maturation, fertilization and subsequent embryo development, which is one of the causes of fertility decline in elderly women. The metabolomics of the oocyte microenvironment in elderly women can not only reflect the changes of substance composition and metabolic level, but also reflect the effects of metabolites on the oocyte, so as to evaluate the developmental potential of oocyte and to provide the reference for predicting the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in elderly women.

Key words: Femininity, Age factors, Follicular fluid, Metabolomics, Cumulus oocyte complex