Effects of hepatitis C virus on the apoptosis percentage of granulosa cells in vivo in women undergoing IVF: preliminary results.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the apoptosis percentage of human luteinized granulosa cells (GC) and the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in follicular fluid (FF).


METHODS
GC were isolated from FF of 12 women undergoing 12 IVF cycles: six were HCV+ with active viral replication and six HCV- serving as controls. No male partner was HCV+. HCV detection and quantification were assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in serum, FF and embryo-incubation medium. GC were analysed by flow cytometry after propidium iodide staining to measure the percentages of apoptotic GC. Routine IVF parameters were tabulated.


RESULTS
Mean +/- standard deviation (SD) serum and FF HCV viral loads were 3.58 +/- 4.25 x 10(6) and 0.14 +/- 0.10 x 10(6) IU/ml respectively. Mean percentages of apoptotic GC from HCV+ and HCV- women were 3.08 +/- 1.14 and 3.14 +/- 1.40% respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between these two groups concerning GC apoptosis and when we compared all IVF parameters. No HCV RNA was detected in embryo incubation media after 2 days of culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparing GC apoptosis percentages and usual IVF parameters in the HCV+ group versus the HCV- group, our preliminary study shows that active chronic HCV infection does not affect follicle development and IVF outcome in HCV+ women undergoing IVF. Furthermore, the risk of newborns becoming HCV-infected might not be increased by assisted reproductive technologies when performed in couples in which women are HCV+ and men HCV-.
Sifer
C
C
Service d'Histologie, Unité Inserm U327, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, Université Paris 7 Denis-Diderot, 46 rue Henri-Huchard, 75877 Paris Cedex 18, France. histo.survgen@bch.ap-hop-paris.fr
Benifla
J L
JL
Branger
M
M
Devaux
A
A
Brun-Vezinet
F
F
Madelenat
P
P
Feldmann
G
G
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012307:Risk Factors
D004279:DNA, Viral