Growth-regulated alpha expression in human preovulatory follicles and ovarian cells.
OBJECTIVE
Around the time of ovulation the number of neutrophils increases in the theca of the leading follicle. We hypothesized that growth-regulated alpha (GRO alpha), a neutrophil chemoat-tractant/activating factor, may be a modulator of periovulatory neutrophil chemotaxis.


METHODS
GRO alpha levels were measured in follicular fluids (n = 61). Granulosa-lutein and ovarian stromal cells were also cultured. After experimental paradigms, GRO alpha mRNA was evaluated by Northern analysis, GRO alpha in follicular fluids, and culture supernatants were quantified using ELISA.


RESULTS
In follicular fluids the mean pre-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) GRO alpha level was 51 +/- 24 (+/- SEM) pg/ml, post-hCG it was 210 +/- 20 pg/ml (P = 0.04). GRO was produced constitutively by ovarian stromal and granulosa-lutein cells. Interleukin-alpha (IL-1 alpha) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) further stimulated GRO alpha production. Treatment of stromal cells with hCG also stimulated GRO alpha production.


CONCLUSIONS
GRO alpha is a constituent of periovulatory follicular fluid. Ovarian stromal and granulosa-lutein cells express the GRO alpha mRNA and produce the protein. The regulation of GRO alpha by cytokines and hCG suggests that GRO alpha may play a role in the process of ovulation.
Oral
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8063, USA.
Seli
E
E
Bahtiyar
M O
MO
Jones
E E
EE
Arici
A
A
D000328:Adult; D054360:Chemokine CXCL1; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism
C475829:CXCL1 protein, human; D054360:Chemokine CXCL1; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger