Received February 20, 2019
Accepted September 05, 2019

Objective: To identify potential microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers of poor, normal and hyper responses to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Methods: In the present study, 40 serum samples derived from patients undergoing COS were analysed. Ten samples were used to standardise the detection of miRNAs in serum. The remaining 30 samples were split into three groups depending on the patient’s response to COS: poor response (PR group, n=10), normal response (NR group, n=10), and hyper response (HR group, n=10). Aberrantly expressed miRNAs were identified by using a large-scale expression analysis platform. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to assess the biological processes potentially modulated by the identified miRNAs. Result(s): Twenty-two miRNAs were exclusively detected in the PR or HR groups when compared with the NR group. From those, 11 presented poor dissociation curves and were excluded from further analysis. A bioinformatic analysis revealed that the selected 11 miRNAs target several genes involved in GnRH, oestrogen and prolactin signalling, oocyte maturation, female pregnancy, and meiosis. Conclusion(s): The large-scale analysis of miRNA expression identified distinct miRNA profiles for poor and hyper response to COS, which potentially modulate key processes for human assisted reproduction. All evidence suggest that the serum microRNA profiling may discriminate patients who will respond in an exacerbated manner to those who will respond insufficiently to the COS. Further studies may validate these miRNAs, allowing for the individualisation of treatment and successful outcomes.