title: Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in follicular fluids of patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for ICSI/ET.
abstract: The objective of this study was to detect the level of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the follicular fluid of patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation and to correlate these levels with hormonal and clinical parameters. Follicular fluids were collected from thirty patients participating in an intracytoplasmic sperm injection/embryo transfer (ICSI/ET) program in "Otmar Bauer" Assisted Reproduction Center, Alexandroupolis, Greece. Follicular fluid was collected at oocyte retrieval and MMP-2 and MMP-9 were identified by gelatin zymography. Gelatin zymography of the follicular fluids revealed bands consistent with proMMP-2 and proMMP-9. ProMMP-2 was the predominant band in the majority of samples. The levels of MMPs varied considerably among the samples. A significant positive correlation between MMP-2 and the peak estradiol levels was found.
authors.affiliation: Lab. of Reproductive Physiology-IVF, Faculty of Medicine, Demokritus Univ. of Thrace, Ktirio Proklinikon, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece. basima@med.duth.gr
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolettos
authors.forename: Byron
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asimakopoulos
authors.forename: Loannis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tentes
authors.forename: Beatte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schöpper
authors.forename: Safaa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: al-Hasani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9