Subpopulations of human granulosa-luteal cells obtained from gonadotropin- or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist/gonadotropin-treated follicles in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to find the differences in granulosa-luteal cells obtained from gonadotropin-versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist/gonadotropin-treated follicles in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles.


METHODS
Granulosa-luteal cells were obtained from 45 follicles of women undergoing IVF-ET with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and from 45 follicles of women with hMG IVF-ET cycles. Subpopulations of granulosa-luteal cells were observed by computerized image analysis in which human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was localized using immunoperoxidase staining.


RESULTS
The luteinized granulosa-luteal cells from hMG-treated follicles were larger than those from GnRH agonist/hMG-treated follicles. The hMG-treated follicles contained more hCG-stained cells, particularly those with cytoplasmic hCG localization.


CONCLUSIONS
We found differences in morphometric characteristics and hCG localization in granulosa-luteal cells obtained from hMG-versus GnRH agonist/hMG-treated follicles. We presume that the results indicate the influence and importance of luteal-phase support on the clinical pregnancy rate in GnRH agonist/hMG-treated IVF-ET cycles.
Gersak
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Tomazevic
T
T
D000328:Adult; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D008596:Menotropins