Expression of integrin fraction and adhesion molecules on human granulosa cells and its relation with oocyte maturity and follicular steroidogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the correlation between the expression of integrin fractions and adhesion molecules on granulosa cells (GC) and follicular development.


METHODS
GC and follicular fluid (FF) were obtained at oocyte retrieval for ICSI. Expression of adhesion molecules on GC was studied by flow cytometry. Statistics were evaluated using the Student t test and simple linear regression analysis.


RESULTS
alpha5 integrin fraction was significantly (p < 0.01) higher, while alpha6 fraction and CD9 were significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) lower in GC from FF with metaphase II oocytes. A direct significant correlation was observed between FF progesterone and the alpha5 expression on GC (r = 0.54). In contrast, an inverse significant correlation was observed between FF progesterone level and the expression of alpha6 and CD9 (r = -0.40 and -0.41, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression pattern for integrin fractions and adhesion molecules may be of predictive value in assessing the state of differentiation of the human follicle.
Clavero
A
A
Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
Castilla
J A
JA
Martinez
L
L
Mendoza
N
N
Fontes
J
J
Maldonado
V
V
D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis
D016023:Integrins; D013256:Steroids; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol