Intrafollicular expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in normally ovulating women compared with patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.
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.
D'Ascenzo
Sandra
S
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
Giusti
Ilaria
I
Millimaggi
Danilo
D
Marci
Roberto
R
Tatone
Carla
C
Cardigno Colonna
Rosella
R
Moscarini
Massimo
M
Pavan
Antonio
A
Dolo
Vincenza
V
Caserta
Donatella
D
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*
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D004958:Estradiol; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9