Pre-ovulatory granulosa cells of infertile women with endometriosis are less sensitive to luteinizing hormone.
OBJECTIVE
Reduced fertilization rates in women with minor endometriosis may be the result of direct effects on the ovary or to primary dysfunction within the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. This controlled study was designed to examine the steroidogenic potential of luteinized granulosa cells in women with minor endometriosis.


METHODS
Granulosa cells were harvested at oocyte recovery and incubated for 3 hr in increasing concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH). The dissociation constant for added concentrations of LH was computed (as Km LH) and the results were compared between women with endometriosis and controls.


RESULTS
Women with minor endometriosis had a higher dissociation constant than women with tubal damage [Km 0.98 (0.58-9.24) versus 0.33 (0.28-0.72) ng/mL, P = 0.019], indicating reduced sensitivity to LH.


CONCLUSIONS
In women with endometriosis, granulosa cells were less sensitive to LH stimulation. This provides further evidence for primary ovarian dysfunction as a significant contributory cause of the associated subfertility.
Cahill
David J
DJ
Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bristol, St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, UK. d.j.cahill@bristol.ac.uk
Harlow
Christopher R
CR
Wardle
Peter G
PG
D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone