Does granulosa cell apoptosis have a role in the etiology of unexplained infertility?
OBJECTIVE
To compare granulosa cell apoptosis in patients with unexplained infertility and tubal factor. Accelerated granulosa cell apoptosis may be the cause of unexplained infertility.


METHODS
Setting was IVF-ET Unit of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University. GnRH analogs and gonadotropins were used for ovulation induction in patients with unexplained infertility (n=15) and tubal factor (n=15) undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) procedures. Following HCG injection and follicular aspiration, apoptosis of granulosa cells was assessed using the in situ DNA nick end labelling method and apoptosis rate was further determined by flow cytometry. Apoptosis rates were compared between two groups. Mann-Whitney's U-test and Student's t-test were used for statistics.


RESULTS
Apoptosis rate was significantly higher in the unexplained infertility group (33.20 +/- 35.62% versus 10.10 +/- 17.23%).


CONCLUSIONS
Granulosa cell apoptosis seems to have a role in the etiology of unexplained infertility.
Idil
Mehmet
M
Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, IVF-ET Unit, Istanbul University, Vefa bayiri sok No 6, Daire 28, Gayrettepe, Istanbul, Turkey.
Cepni
Ismail
I
Demirsoy
Gülten
G
Ocal
Pelin
P
Salihoğlu
Funda
F
Senol
Hülya
H
Elibol
Feyhan
F
Irez
Tülay
T
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone