Presence of leukemia inhibitory factor and interleukin-12 in human follicular fluid during follicular growth.
OBJECTIVE
Cytokines have been shown to be present in human follicular fluid and have regulatory functions on follicular maturation. The presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and interleukin (IL)-12 in human follicular fluid obtained at different stages of maturation was investigated.


METHODS
Follicular fluids and granulosa cells were obtained from preovulatory and immature follicles. Follicular fluids from both groups were assayed for IL-12 and LIF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Granulosa cells from preovulatory and immature follicles were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in vitro and subsequent LIF and IL-12 production were measured.


RESULTS
The average concentration of LIF was significantly higher in preovulatory follicles (7.6 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, n = 24) than in immature follicles (2.0 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, n = 6). The concentration of IL-12 was significantly higher in follicular fluid obtained from immature follicles (10.9 +/- 5.0 pg/ml) than in preovulatory follicles (1.3 +/- 0.4 pg/ml). hCG only stimulated LIF production from mature granulosa cells; it had no effect on IL-12 production.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-12 and LIF are present in follicular fluid and their levels are regulated differently during follicular maturation. hCG stimulates LIF production from granulosa cells in vitro.
Coskun
S
S
Department of Pathology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Uzumcu
M
M
Jaroudi
K
K
Hollanders
J M
JM
Parhar
R S
RS
al-Sedairy
S T
ST
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015850:Interleukin-6; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines