The same luteinized granulosa-luteal cells from normal and superovulated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated cycles contain hCG and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether hCG and IGFBP-1 appear in the same or different cells and in what sequence.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of laboratory data.


METHODS
University medical center.


METHODS
Twenty-five women undergoing IVF-ET with natural cycles and 25 women having stimulated IVF-ET.


METHODS
Cells were obtained from dominant follicles in women with natural cycles and from the follicles from hMG- and hCG-stimulated cycles.


METHODS
Detection and localization of hCG and IGFBP-1 in granulosa-luteal cells using double immunocytochemical staining. Measurement of hCG and IGFBP-1 in follicular fluid and serum.


RESULTS
Three types of hCG staining were found: on the cell surface, on the cell surface and in the cytoplasm, and in the cytoplasm alone. IGFBP-1 stained diffusely in the cytoplasm and was found only in those cells that were luteinized and contained hCG. IGFBP-1 and hCG were colocalized in the same cells. There was a positive correlation between follicular fluid hCG and IGFBP-1 levels, but only in natural IVF-ET cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
HCG-driven luteinization is required for IGFBP-1 synthesis to take place in granulosa cells.
Gersak
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia. ksenija.gersak@s-net.net
Seppälä
M
M
Us-Krasovec
M
M
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1