Hyaluronan in follicular fluids and fertilization of oocytes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the concentrations of hyaluronan, E(2), and progesterone in follicular fluids (FFs) and the incidence of apoptotic granulosa cells. Also, to examine the relationship between the concentration of hyaluronan and follicular steroids, the incidence of apoptotic cells, and the fertilizability of the oocyte in the same follicle.


METHODS
Samples of 130 follicles were retrospectively analyzed for hyaluronan and steroids and the incidence of apoptotic cells.


METHODS
The reproductive center in Yamagata University Hospital.


METHODS
Forty women infertile because of tubal damage or unknown causes undergoing IVF treatment were selected.


METHODS
The samples were collected from follicle aspirations.


METHODS
The concentrations of hyaluronan and steroids in FFs, the incidence of apoptotic granulosa cells, and oocyte fertilizability.


RESULTS
The levels of hyaluronan in FF were found to correlate positively with P (r=0.444, P<0.0001) and the incidence of apoptotic cumulus granulosa cells (r=0.387, P=0.002) and inversely with E(2) (r = -0.601, P<0.0001) and free T (r = -0.344, P=0.001). The concentration of hyaluronan in FFs containing a subsequently fertilized oocyte after insemination was significantly lower than that in FFs containing a subsequently unfertilized oocyte (P=0.0005) (fertilized, 50.0 +/- 2.6 ng/mL; triploidy, 59.1 +/- 6.8; and unfertilized, 66.9 +/- 5.9).


CONCLUSIONS
The concentration of hyaluronan in FF is an indicator for estimation of oocyte viability for fertilization.
Saito
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan. hsaitou@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
Kaneko
T
T
Takahashi
T
T
Kawachiya
S
S
Saito
T
T
Hiroi
M
M
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011003:Ploidies; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid