Expression of steroid receptors, their cofactors, and aromatase in human luteinized granulosa cells after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
OBJECTIVE
To examine expression of androgen receptor (AR), AR cofactors, estrogen (E) receptor alpha, E receptor beta, progesterone receptor, steroid receptor coactivator-1, and aromatase in human luteinized granulosa cells collected during oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
Prospective real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction study.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
A total of 198 samples were brought into the study.


METHODS
Patients underwent the long protocol for assisted reproductive technology. Luteinized granulosa cells were collected transvaginally with ultrasound guidance. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the mRNA expression of the investigated genes.


METHODS
The expression levels were determined as ratios between the studied genes and the reference gene beta-actin.


RESULTS
There is little AR expression in human luteinized granulosa cells immediately preceding ovulation under controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. All aspirated follicles, despite their antral size, displayed a similar mRNA expression of the investigated genes in the luteinized granulosa cells.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the possibility of a transition of androgen action from being an enhancer of follicular differentiation (through the AR) to being a substrate of E synthesis (through aromatase) at the time of oocyte retrieval. The present study also demonstrates no effect of follicular size upon the status of steroid receptor mRNA expression in the luteinized granulosa cells when follicles were at least >1.5 mL.
Chang
Shiuh Y
SY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung County 833, Taiwan, Republic of China. sychang@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Kang
Hong-Yo
HY
Lan
Kuo-Chung
KC
Chang
Chih-Yang
CY
Huang
Fu-Jen
FJ
Tsai
Meng-Yin
MY
Huang
Ko-En
KE
D001141:Aromatase / Q000235:genetics*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D016014:Linear Models; D056918:Nuclear Receptor Coactivators; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000235:genetics; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; C111382:NCOA4 protein, human; D056918:Nuclear Receptor Coactivators; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; C118499:RNF14 protein, human; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; C490351:TGFB1I1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D001141:Aromatase