title: IGF-I and epidermal growth factor levels in follicular fluid of women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using the multidose GnRH-antagonist protocol or the long GnRH-agonist protocol.
abstract: The intrafollicular levels of IGF-I and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were studied in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using the multidose GnRH-antagonist protocol or the long agonist protocol, in an attempt to elucidate whether GnRH-antagonists affect the levels of the two growth factors. The follicular fluid concentration of IGF-I, EGF, estradiol and progesterone were detected in 68 women undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. There were no differences in intrafollicular concentrations of EGF and IGF-I in the two studied groups. Additionally, we found no correlation between the intrafollicular levels of IGF-I or EGF and the ICSI outcome. The intrafollicular levels of IGF-I were positively correlated with those of progesterone. In conclusion, the intrafollicular levels of IGF-I and EGF do not seem to be influenced by the stimulation protocol. The intrafollicular levels of both growth factors can not serve as prognostic markers for the ICSI outcome.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asimakopoulos
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schöpper
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Caglar
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vakalopoulos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Hasani
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Diedrich
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolettos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix