Aneuploidy of human granulosa cells in follicular fluids from in vitro fertilization patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the proliferative behavior of granulosa cells found in follicular fluids from patients after hormone stimulation in the framework of in vitro fertilization (IVF) with gonadotropins.


METHODS
The deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy and the proliferation indices of granulosa cells in fresh and unfixed follicles (n = 119) from gonadotropin-stimulated patients (n = 32) were analyzed by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Aneuploid cells were found in a large number of follicles (65/119) as well as patients (25/32). A small number of follicles (8/119) and patients (7/32) contained multiploid cells. There was no correlation between proliferation indices and ploidy. Granulosa cells were the predominant cells in follicular fluids. No malignant cells were found in any case.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report concerning the high incidence rate of aneuploidy in ovarian granulosa cells in IVF patients. The clinical relevance of the phenomenon is not clear. There should be further study to determine whether there is any link to a previously discussed possible relation between gonadotropin stimulation in women attempting to become pregnant and the occurrence of ovarian cancer or granulosa cell tumors. Of further interest might be a possible relation between ploidy and proliferation indices of stimulated granulosa cells as well as side effects of gonadotropin therapy and biologic parameters, like maturity, fertilizability of oocytes and rates of pregnancy.
Melsheimer
P
P
Department of Gynecological Morphology, Universität-Frauenklinik, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany.
Grunwald
K
K
Feldmann
K
K
Rabe
T
T
Runnebaum
B
B
Rummel
H H
HH
D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D002455:Cell Division; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004171:Diploidy; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006644:Histiocytes; D006801:Humans; D008184:Luteal Cells; D010060:Ovulation; D011247:Pregnancy
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin