Ryudocan expression by luteinized granulosa cells is associated with the process of follicle atresia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the presence of ryudocan in follicular fluid (FF) and its possible correlation with FF E(2) and P, and to study the levels of ryudocan in granulosa-lutein cells stimulated with hCG.


METHODS
Controlled clinical study and in vitro experiment.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
One hundred seven patients undergoing IVF.


METHODS
The FF and granulosa-lutein cells were aspirated from follicles 34 hours after an ovulatory gonadotropin bolus.


METHODS
FF ryudocan, E(2), and P levels as well as hCG-mediated induction of ryudocan.


RESULTS
Ryudocan was abundant in the FF; the concentration of ryudocan in human FF was estimated to be 305.5 +/- 200.8 ng/mL (mean +/- SD). Atretic follicles had higher concentrations of ryudocan (559.1 +/- 156.5 ng/mL). FF ryudocan levels were inversely correlated with FF E(2) (r = -0.5023) and P concentrations (r = -0.4459). A detectable amount of ryudocan was found in pooled granulosa-lutein cells. Ryudocan production was augmented by surge levels of hCG.


CONCLUSIONS
Ryudocan is expressed in luteinized granulosa cells in vitro. The higher concentrations of ryudocan in FF of atretic follicles suggest an involvement of ryudocan in the process of atresia.
Sakata
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seirei-Mikatabara General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
Kobayashi
H
H
Sun
G W
GW
Mochizuki
O
O
Takagi
A
A
Kojima
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005496:Follicular Atresia / Q000378:metabolism*; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D053671:Syndecan-4
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; C508304:SDC4 protein, human; D053671:Syndecan-4; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol