Lower apoptosis rate in human cumulus cells after administration of recombinant luteinizing hormone to women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization procedures.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of recombinant (r-) LH supplementation in "low responder" patients undergoing ovarian stimulation with r-FSH for an IVF program. The apoptosis rate in cumulus cells was used as an indicator of oocyte quality.


METHODS
Comparison of the rate of DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity in cumulus cells in women stimulated with r-LH and r-FSH, versus patients treated with r-FSH alone (control).


METHODS
In vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory.


METHODS
Forty patients undergoing assisted fertilization programs treated with a GnRH agonist, or r-FSH treatment begun on day 3 of the cycle (control). In the r-LH group, from day 8 of gonadotropin stimulation, 150 IU per day of r-LH were administered.


METHODS
Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-deoxyuridine-triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and anti-caspase-3 cleaved immunoassay, to detect apoptosis in human cumulus cells.


METHODS
Difference in DNA fragmentation rate between cumulus cells derived from r-LH treatment and cumulus cells derived from control patients.


RESULTS
No differences were observed between the two groups in the total amount of r-FSH administered and in the number of retrieved oocytes per patient. A statistically significant increase in the number of immature oocytes and in the E(2) serum peak was observed in the control group. The number of transferred embryos was significantly higher in the r-LH group. Pregnancy and implantation rates were higher in the r-LH group, but without statistical significance. The apoptosis rate in cumulus cells was higher in the control group than in the r-LH group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that supplementation with r-LH improves the chromatin quality of cumulus cells involved in the control of oocyte maturation.
Ruvolo
Giovanni
G
Centro di Biologia della Riproduzione, Palermo, Italy.
Bosco
Liana
L
Pane
Antonina
A
Morici
Giovanni
G
Cittadini
Ettore
E
Roccheri
Maria C
MC
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000032:analysis; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D053148:Caspase 3