GHRP-6 · research summary

Assessing The Effectiveness of Growth Hormone Releasing Protein-6 in Improving Human Oocyte Maturation and Meiotic Progression in In Vitro Maturation Culture Media.

International journal of fertility & sterility · 2025. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

Experimental study on human oocyte in vitro maturation
“In this experimental study, a total of 240 human germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were collected and cultured in varying concentrations of GHRP-6.”

Subjects

Human germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes from patients undergoing ICSI treatment
“In this experimental study, the GV-stage oocytes were donated by patients who underwent ICSI treatment due to male factors, uterine or tubal factors and unexplained fertilities at the Mehr fertility center Rasht/Iran from May 2023 to January 2024.”

Sample size

240 GV-stage oocytes for maturation assessment and 164 GV-stage oocytes for gene expression analysis
“A total number of 240 oocyte, from 107 ICSI procedures, were included in evaluation the most effective concentration of GHRP-6 in IVM.”

Duration

Oocytes were cultured for 24 to 48 hours
“GV-stage oocytes were cultured for 24-48 hours.”

Reported findings

The optimal concentration of GHRP-6 for in vitro maturation was determined to be 75 ng/ml
“The optimal concentration of GHRP-6 for the IVM procedure was determined to be 75 ng/ml, resulting in a maturation rate of 70% on the first day and 80% on the second day.”
GHRP-6 at 75 ng/ml resulted in higher maturation rates compared to control and sham groups
“These results surpassed those of other culture media on both days.”
GHRP-6 did not significantly elevate the expression levels of CENP-E or LINGO2 genes
“Real-time PCR data indicated that, despite the early appearance of the first polar body (PB1) on 24h of culture, the Ghrelin agonist did not elevate the expression levels of CENP-E or LINGO2, genes associated with meiotic progression and membrane proteins, respectively.”

Limitations stated by the authors

Sample size may not capture all biological variability, 24-hour observation may be insufficient for cytoplasmic maturation, and use of an agonist instead of full Ghrelin hormone
“This study had several limitations: i. The sample size of GV oocytes, though statistically adequate, but may not capture all biological variability, ii. The 24-hour obser vation period might be insufficient to assess cytoplasmic maturation effects, and iii. The use of an agonist (GHRP 6) might be not rule as full Ghrelin hormone.”

Source: PubMed 41090425 · DOI 10.22074/ijfs.2025.2038272.1745 · all study summaries

Subjects

Human germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes from patients undergoing ICSI treatment

“In this experimental study, the GV-stage oocytes were donated by patients who underwent ICSI treatment due to male factors, uterine or tubal factors and unexplained fertilities at the Mehr fertility center Rasht/Iran from May 2023 to January 2024.”

Reported findings

The optimal concentration of GHRP-6 for in vitro maturation was determined to be 75 ng/ml

“The optimal concentration of GHRP-6 for the IVM procedure was determined to be 75 ng/ml, resulting in a maturation rate of 70% on the first day and 80% on the second day.”

GHRP-6 at 75 ng/ml resulted in higher maturation rates compared to control and sham groups

“These results surpassed those of other culture media on both days.”

GHRP-6 did not significantly elevate the expression levels of CENP-E or LINGO2 genes

“Real-time PCR data indicated that, despite the early appearance of the first polar body (PB1) on 24h of culture, the Ghrelin agonist did not elevate the expression levels of CENP-E or LINGO2, genes associated with meiotic progression and membrane proteins, respectively.”

Limitations stated by the authors

Sample size may not capture all biological variability, 24-hour observation may be insufficient for cytoplasmic maturation, and use of an agonist instead of full Ghrelin hormone

“This study had several limitations: i. The sample size of GV oocytes, though statistically adequate, but may not capture all biological variability, ii. The 24-hour obser vation period might be insufficient to assess cytoplasmic maturation effects, and iii. The use of an agonist (GHRP 6) might be not rule as full Ghrelin hormone.”