Recombinant FSH and pregnancy-associated plasma protein.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of rec-FSH on the ovarian follicular environment in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle, we compared the expression of the markers that have been reported to reflect the follicle health.


METHODS
A total of 31 women (<35 years) with normal ovarian function were allocated to three different COH protocols (urinary FSH (u-FSH)+hMG, rec-FSH only, or u-FSH only). E2, P4, leptin and IGF-I levels in serum or follicular fluid (FF) were measured with radioimmunoassay; cyclin D2, EGF receptor (EGF-R), and inhibin-alpha mRNA levels in luteinized granulosa cells were measured with RT-PCR; and IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A levels in FF were measured with Western blot analysis.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in serum E2, P4 and leptin levels and follicular leptin and IGF-I levels. Cyclin D2, EGF-R, and inhibin-alpha mRNA expression in luteinized granulosa cells were not different among three groups. However, follicular IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A levels in rec-FSH group were significantly higher than other groups (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of rec-FSH increases the expression of follicular PAPP-A reflecting IGFBP-4 proteolytic activity and it may influence positively the follicular environment.
Choi
DooSeok
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwon-Dong Kangnam-Ku, Seoul 135-710, South Korea. dschoi@smc.samsung.co.kr
Hwang
Seong Soo
SS
Lee
Eun Young
EY
Park
Chang Eun
CE
Yoon
Byung-Koo
BK
Lee
Je-Ho
JH
Bae
Duk Soo
DS
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018974:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D034461:Luteinization / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D018974:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A