Immediately preovulatory levels of messenger ribonucleic acid for inhibin alpha-subunit are diminished in granulosa cells from successful in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.
Inhibin, a gonadal glycoprotein which suppresses pituitary gonadotrophin secretion, preferentially follicle stimulating hormone, has been extensively characterized. It consists of two covalently bound subunits, the alpha- and beta-subunits, encoded by separate genes. In this study, the expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for the inhibin alpha-subunit was studied by Northern blot analysis in granulosa cells of women undergoing in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET). Three patient groups were studied: women who failed to become pregnant (n = 11), women who became pregnant but experienced early spontaneous abortion (n = 3) and women who conceived normal ongoing pregnancies (n = 4). Granulosa cells were obtained at the time of follicle aspiration. Levels of alpha-subunit mRNA were 40% lower in patients establishing normal pregnancies than in those who failed to become pregnant or who spontaneously aborted. Thus, a relative diminution of immediately preovulatory levels of mRNA for inhibin alpha-subunit is a marker of success in clinical IVF/ET cycles. This marker of IVF/ET success can be related to previously established markers of success (increased follicular fluid oestradiol and decreased follicular fluid cyclic adenosine monophosphate) by known physiological mechanisms.
Burns
W N
WN
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7836.
Rao
T R
TR
Olive
D L
DL
Jacobs
J D
JD
Riehl
R M
RM
Schenken
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000235:genetics*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007265:Inhibins