title: Intrafollicular expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in normally ovulating women compared with patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess possible differences in the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, and their inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of MMPs, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, in follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and of normally ovulating women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was analyzed by gelatin zymography and MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-1 and 17beta-estradiol levels were measured in FF by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significantly reduced MMP levels in FF of women undergoing IVF treatment when compared with those of normally ovulating women. In contrast, the TIMP-1 levels were found significantly increased in FF from IVF patients vs normally ovulating women. No significant differences were found for TIMP-2 between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings underline a marked difference in MMPs and their inhibitors in the IVF women and the control group. Therefore we assume MMPs depend on hormonal steroidogenesis modulation induced by the gonadotropin protocol for IVF treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Ascenzo
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Giusti
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Millimaggi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marci
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tatone
authors.forename: Rosella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cardigno Colonna
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscarini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavan
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dolo
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caserta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism; D010060:Ovulation / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D004958:Estradiol; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9