The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human follicular fluid is associated with in vitro fertilisation pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the pre-ovulatory follicular fluid and culture media during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle and to develop the zymographic pre-diagnosis marker for successful implantation and pregnancy in human IVF.


METHODS
Controlled clinical study.


METHODS
IVF Laboratory, Women's Hospital Infertility Clinic and Dongguk University, Korea.


METHODS
Women undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment.


METHODS
Experiments were designed for controlled clinical study with women undergoing IVF treatment. MMP-9 expressions in follicular fluid and culture media samples that had been collected during transvaginal oocyte retrieval were measured using zymography. MMP-9 activities and expressions were strongly correlated to a higher rate of fertilisation and pregnancy.


METHODS
Fertilisation rates and ultrasonic evidence of intrauterine pregnancy by four weeks after embryo transfer.


RESULTS
MMP-9 activity was significantly higher in the pregnant group than in the non-pregnant group (P < 0.01). In contrast, MMP-2 activity was present in the follicular fluid and culture media of all women, and no difference in its expressions was found between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups. No correlation was found between the MMP-9 expression in follicular fluid and culture media and the fertilisation rates.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of MMP-9 in the follicular fluid and culture media is a prerequisite for successful pregnancy in IVF cycle. The zymography of MMP-9 activity in follicular fluids of human and culture media was developed as a pre-diagnostic method and zymographic diagnosis marker for successful fertilisation, implantation and pregnancy in human IVF.
Lee
Dong-Mok
DM
National Research Laboratory for Glycobiology and Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Gynecology, Dongguk University College of Oriental Medicine, Kyungju City, South Korea.
Lee
Tae-Kyun
TK
Song
Hai-Bum
HB
Kim
Cheorl-Ho
CH
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009865:Oocytes; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9