title: Strong expression of steroid sulfatase in human cumulus cells in patients with endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the localization and expression of steroid sulfatase (STS) in cumulus cells obtained from subjects with and without endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro fertilization program at the Showa University School of Medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cumulus cells (142 samples) were obtained from 49 patients for whom IVF was indicated. Some of these samples were taken from cases complicated by endometriosis (35 samples), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; 16 samples), or latent hyperprolactinemia (16 samples).
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical staining for STS. Measurement of STS mRNA expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of STS mRNA and localization of STS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Steroid sulfatase was localized in the cytoplasm of the cumulus cells, and expression of STS mRNA was observed. The expression level of STS mRNA from patients with endometriosis was significantly higher (11.8-fold) than that of patients without endometriosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest a local steroidal regulation mechanism in cumulus cells. Although the physiological role of STS in cumulus cells remains unclear, STS may be involved in the quality of eggs in patients with endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. atsushi-y@med.showa-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yanaihara
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Otsuka
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okai
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yanaihara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D043266:Steryl-Sulfatase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043266:Steryl-Sulfatase