Subpopulations of human granulosa-luteal cells obtained during early timed and during normally timed follicular aspiration in in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To find the differences between human granulosa-luteal cells obtained during early timed follicular aspiration to prevent severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and during normally timed follicular aspiration.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of clinical laboratory data.


METHODS
In vitro fertilization unit, University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.


METHODS
Twenty women undergoing IVF-ET at high risk for OHSS.


METHODS
Cells were obtained from the follicles of women who were stimulated with hMG and hCG during an early timed follicular aspiration of one ovary, 10-12 hours after hCG, and during a normally timed follicular aspiration of the contralateral ovary, 32-36 hours after hCG administration.


METHODS
Subpopulations of granulosa-luteal cells were observed by computerized image analysis in which hCG was localized using immunoperoxidase staining.


RESULTS
Early timed follicular aspirates contained no oocytes and only a scant number of granulosa cells. Granulosa-luteal cells were smaller than those from normally timed follicular aspirates. We identified three subpopulations in early timed follicular aspirates: nonluteinized, small luteinized, and medium luteinized cells. In normally timed follicular aspirates, four subpopulations were identified, including large luteinized cells. The normally timed follicular aspirates contained more hCG-stained cells. Three staining types of hCG localization were found: on the surface membrane, on the surface membrane and within the cytoplasm, and only within the cytoplasm of cells from normally timed follicular aspirates. Early timed follicular aspirates contained only cells with membrane hCG localization.


CONCLUSIONS
We found differences in morphometric characteristics and hCG localization between human granulosa-luteal cells obtained during early timed follicular aspiration to prevent severe OHSS and during normally timed follicular aspiration.
Gersak
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Tomazevic
T
T
Meden-Vrtovec
H
H
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin