Significance of mRNA levels of connexin37, connexin43, and connexin45 in luteinized granulosa cells of controlled hyperstimulated follicles.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the mRNA levels of connexins in different sizes of luteinized follicles.


METHODS
Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to determine the connexin mRNA levels in the granulosa cells of 91 luteinized follicles.


METHODS
Academic tertiary care medical center and research unit of university.


METHODS
Ninety-one female patients on controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).


METHODS
Sonoguided aspiration to collect the oocytes and the granulosa cells simultaneously.


METHODS
The RT-PCR data are normalized by comparing the intensity of the connexins to the intensity of internal controls (beta-actin). The follicles are grouped according to the size and the mRNA levels of the connexins. The correlations among the size of the follicles, the outcome of oocytes, and the mRNA levels of the connexins are compared by Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney test.


RESULTS
The mRNA levels of the connexins are low in the follicles equal or larger than 5.5 mL. High cx43 levels are linked to good prognosis of oocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The luteinized granulosa cells from the large follicles are relatively quiescent in the connexin mRNA expression. In addition to the volume, the mRNA levels of cx43 may serve as a marker to predict the outcome of oocytes.
Tsai
Meng-Yin
MY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan.
Lan
Kuo-Chung
KC
Huang
Ko-En
KE
Huang
Fu-Jeng
FJ
Kung
Fu-Tsai
FT
Chang
Shiuh-Young
SY
D001483:Base Sequence; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics*; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein
D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D017931:DNA Primers; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein; C082920:connexin 45