Analysis of follicular fluid hormone concentrations and granulosa cell mRNA levels for the inhibin-activin-follistatin system: relation to oocyte and embryo characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the potential roles of inhibin, activin, and follistatin in human oocyte development by quantifying their intrafollicular biosynthesis.


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized study.


METHODS
An IVF unit and academic research laboratory.


METHODS
Thirty one patients undergoing IVF.


METHODS
Human menopausal gonadotropins or human FSH (or both) were administered. Single-follicle aspirates (n = 110) were collected for analysis.


METHODS
Concentrations of dimeric, total and pro-alphaC inhibin forms; activin A; follistatin; estradiol; and progesterone were measured in follicular fluids. Granulosa-cell mRNA was analyzed for alpha, beta A, and beta B inhibin and activin subunits; follistatin; activin receptors; and beta-actin. Hormone concentrations and mRNA levels were correlated with oocytes or embryos from the same follicles.


RESULTS
Levels of progesterone and follistatin were significantly greater in follicles containing MI or MII oocytes than in those containing GV oocytes. Inhibin alpha-subunit mRNA levels were significantly higher in follicles containing maturing oocytes, the highest-quality oocytes, and oocytes that were subsequently fertilized. In contrast, inhibin alpha-subunit mRNA levels were significantly lower in follicles from which higher-quality embryos were obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibin alpha-subunit biosynthesis is associated with normal oocyte and follicle maturation, but excessive alpha-inhibin is associated with poor embryo quality. None of the hormones analyzed were associated with oocyte or embryo quality.
Fujiwara
T
T
Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 02114, USA.
Lambert-Messerlian
G
G
Sidis
Y
Y
Leykin
L
L
Isaacson
K
K
Toth
T
T
Schneyer
A
A
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D029404:Activin Receptors; D028341:Activins; D000328:Adult; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D038681:Follistatin; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics
D000199:Actins; D038681:Follistatin; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006728:Hormones; D010455:Peptides; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; C043076:beta-microseminoprotein; D028341:Activins; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D029404:Activin Receptors