A new study published in Aging (Aging-US) on February 18, 2025, in Volume 17, Issue 2, presents promising findings regarding the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in enhancing ovarian function. The research, titled “Transcriptomic landscape of cumulus cells from patients <38 years old with a history of poor ovarian response (POR) treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP),” suggests that PRP treatment may help rejuvenate ovaries and improve egg quality in women with poor ovarian response (POR), potentially boosting pregnancy success rates for those undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Poor ovarian response, a significant challenge in fertility treatments, is characterized by a diminished ovarian reserve, resulting in fewer eggs being collected and lower chances of pregnancy. While PRP—an autologous concentration of growth factors derived from a patient’s own blood—has been proposed as a potential solution for ovarian rejuvenation, its molecular effects remain poorly understood.
Led by first author Leah M. Roberts and corresponding author Emre Seli, researchers from IVIRMA New Jersey, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, and Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University investigated the impact of PRP on cumulus cells—specialized cells surrounding the egg. The team used RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression in samples collected from women aged 18 to 37 who had a history of poor ovarian response and received either PRP therapy or standard treatment before undergoing IVF.
The study revealed notable differences in gene activity between the two groups. PRP-treated cumulus cells exhibited increased expression of genes involved in metabolism, cell survival, and intercellular communication—all vital for egg development and fertility. A key observation was PRP’s impact on carbohydrate metabolism within cumulus cells, which provide energy to the developing egg. Previous research has linked metabolic health to embryo quality, highlighting the potential importance of this finding. Additionally, PRP appeared to regulate pathways related to cell proliferation and programmed cell death, suggesting a role in supporting egg survival.
“Our findings indicate that PRP treatment regulates specific pathways that could contribute to follicular activation and oocyte maturation,” the researchers noted.
While PRP has been successfully used in medicine for tissue repair and wound healing, its role in fertility treatments is still under investigation. Some clinical trials have reported improvements in ovarian reserve markers following PRP treatment, although the effect on pregnancy rates remains inconclusive. This new research, however, provides valuable insights into how PRP influences cumulus cells, advancing our understanding of its potential benefits for fertility treatments.
The researchers emphasize the need for further studies to refine PRP protocols, identify optimal treatment regimens, and determine which patients may benefit most from this therapy. By gaining a deeper understanding of PRP’s molecular effects on ovarian cells, scientists hope to develop targeted fertility treatments that can support women struggling with infertility due to diminished ovarian reserve.
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