High levels of immunoreactive endothelin-1 in human follicular fluids.
Follicular fluids were obtained from 180 follicles of 15 women undergoing follicular aspiration for in-vitro fertilization. Follicular development was induced by a combination of buserelin acetate and human menopausal gonadotrophin. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations in human follicular fluids were determined by specific radioimmunoassay. ET-1-like immunoreactivity (ET-1-LI) ranged from 338 to 928 pg/ml. ET-1-LI concentrations in follicular fluids obtained from immature (< 15 mm) follicles were significantly higher than those from mature (15-25 mm) and post-mature (> or = 25 mm) follicles. No correlation was found between the concentration of ET-1-LI, on the one hand, and that of oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I, prostaglandin E2 or platelet activating factor on the other, in follicular fluids. However, a significant positive correlation was observed between ET-1-LI concentration and follicle stimulating hormone and IGF-II concentrations, respectively. These data suggest that the high concentration of ET-1 found in follicular fluids may play some physiological role in follicular development.
Kamada
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Kubota
T
T
Taguchi
M
M
Aso
T
T
D002064:Buserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013396:Suction
D016232:Endothelins; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002064:Buserelin