title: Recombinant FSH and pregnancy-associated plasma protein.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: DooSeok
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Seong Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chang Eun
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Byung-Koo
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Je-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Duk Soo
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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