Detection of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and its receptor in human follicular luteinized granulosa cells.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate concentration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in serum and follicular fluid (FF) at the time of oocyte retrieval and to detect expression of G-CSF and its receptor by luteinized granulosa cells (GCs).


METHODS
Collection of serum and FF at the time of oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
A university IVF-ICSI program.


METHODS
Serum and FF were obtained from 82 women undergoing oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
Serum and FF were obtained from 82 women. Granulosa cells were pooled from 15 patients (three experiments with five patients each; 3-14 oocytes each).


METHODS
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor concentration was determined by ELISA, the expression of G-CSF, and its receptor by the immunocytochemical technique and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. Additionally, G-CSF expression was investigated by cell culture time course studies.


RESULTS
The median G-CSF level in FF (117.98 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in serum (67.5 pg/mL). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and its receptor were expressed by GCs.


CONCLUSIONS
The significantly higher level of G-CSF in FF than in serum and the expression of G-CSF and its receptor in FF by GCs suggest an important role for this growth factor in ovarian function.
Salmassi
Ali
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kiel, Michaelisstrasse 16, 24105 Kiel, Germany. asalmassi@email.uni-kiel.de
Schmutzler
Andreas G
AG
Huang
Lili
L
Hedderich
Jürgen
J
Jonat
Walter
W
Mettler
Liselotte
L
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D034461:Luteinization / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D016188:Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013997:Time Factors
D016188:Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor