Human follicular fluids contain tissue macrophages.
Tissue cells obtained from the follicular fluids of women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were found to contain interleukin-1 beta mRNA by Northern analysis. Since macrophages are known to produce interleukin-1 beta, we examined the follicular fluids of 20 women undergoing in vitro fertilization as well as tissue sections of normal human ovary for the presence of macrophages and monocytes. Although granulosa-luteal cells predominate in follicular fluid, we found that resident macrophages and monocytes comprise 5-15% of human follicular tissue cells. In addition, we observed that macrophages are present in the human ovarian follicle as well as in the corpus luteum.
Loukides
J A
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.
Loy
R A
RA
Edwards
R
R
Honig
J
J
Visintin
I
I
Polan
M L
ML
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D009000:Monocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger