Relationships between in vitro progesterone production by granulosa-luteal cells and certain characteristics of human stimulated cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the conditions of a suitable luteal phase in human stimulated cycles, progesterone (P) production by cultured granulosa cells from preovulatory follicles was related to preovulatory serum estradiol (E2) and number of oocytes.


METHODS
Progesterone production was measured in the presence or absence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) using radioimmunoassay; data were compared using Student's t-test; correlations used linear regression.


METHODS
In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) for infertility treatment at hospital Antoine Beclère, Clamart, France; scientific studies at Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unit 187, Clamart, France.


METHODS
Nineteen women, 33 +/- 4 years old, undergoing IVF-ET for nonovarian causes.


METHODS
High preovulatory E2 usually correlates with high luteal P level. Atretic follicle has reduced follicular E2 production combined with a loss of responsiveness to gonadotropins.


RESULTS
Granulosa-luteal cell P production correlated with E2 level (P less than 0.0002). Six cycles, with 14 oocytes recovered per cycle on average, showed reduced plasma E2 per oocyte (P less than 0.001) combined with reduced responsiveness to hCG by granulosa-luteal cells (P less than 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Recovery of numerous oocytes might be associated with follicular atresia and deficient luteal phase.
Machelon
V
V
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U-187, Clamart, France.
Testart
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012044:Regression Analysis
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol