Decreased expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases in follicular fluid from women with polycystic ovaries compared with normally ovulating patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To compare activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and expression of their tissue-specific inhibitor (TIMP) in the follicular fluid of normally ovulating women and women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
IVF unit and endocrine research unit.


METHODS
Fourteen patients undergoing IVF treatment (seven with normal ovulation and seven with PCOS).


METHODS
Activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and expression of MMP-1, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 was measured in follicular fluid of the leading follicles by using gel zymography and immunoblot analysis.


RESULTS
The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and expression of MMP-1 was similar in follicular fluid of normally ovulating patients and patients with PCOS. Significantly lower expression of TIMP-1 was found in follicular fluid of patients with PCOS women compared with normally ovulating patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Because MMPs and TIMPs play a role in the physical and chemical structure of the follicular compartment, the decreased expression of TIMP in patients with PCOS may be part of a compensatory process to overcome the physical properties of the thick ovarian capsule.
Lahav-Baratz
Shirly
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Unit, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
Kraiem
Zaki
Z
Shiloh
Hanna
H
Koifman
Mara
M
Ishai
David
D
Dirnfeld
Martha
M
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000032:analysis; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis; D009865:Oocytes; D010060:Ovulation; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology*; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000032:analysis*
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1