Expression and distribution of cyclooxygenase-2 in human periovulatory ovary.
Cyclooxygenase, which converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins, has two types of isoforms, cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The latter is thought to be essential for the ovulatory mechanism. However, expression or distribution of COX-2 in periovulatory human ovary has not been reported. The aim of our study was to examine COX-2 expression and distribution in pre- and postovulatory human ovary. COX-2 was detected by Western blot analysis of pre-ovulatory human ovarian follicular fluid. The levels of COX-2 in preovulatory fluid obtained from 20 subjects underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, and were assayed using enzyme immunoassay for human COX-2. The results showed 7.3+/-4.1 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) with a COX-2 level range of 2.7 to 19.5 ng/ml of follicular fluid. Detection of COX-2 is considered to reflect its production in the preovulatory follicle. Immunofluorescence microscopic examination of an ovary obtained from a woman at the postovulatory period showed distribution of COX-2 in interstitial but not in granulosa cells in a ruptured follicle. These findings collectively suggest the possibility that COX-2 is mainly produced in follicles in a preovulatory phase, while after ovulation, COX-2 is produced in interstitial cells in human ovary.
Tokuyama
O
O
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Medical School, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.
Nakamura
Y
Y
Muso
A
A
Honda
K
K
Ishiko
O
O
Ogita
S
S
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008596:Menotropins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008596:Menotropins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases