Possible role of the plasminogen activation system in human subfertility.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate components of the plasminogen activator (PA) system with fertility outcome parameters in participants in an IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic for IVF/ICSI treatment at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-six couples undergoing an IVF/ICSI procedure.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and t-PA-PAI-1 complex concentrations in the ejaculate, spermatozoa, and follicular fluid (FF).


RESULTS
Concentrations of t-PA were higher in spermatozoa of the male factor subfertility group (geometrical mean, 77.1 pg/million spermatozoa; 25th-75th percentiles, 31.8-211.2), compared to fertile men (geometrical mean, 1.91; 25th-75th percentiles, 0.74-5.79) and idiopathic subfertile men (geometrical mean, 3.14; 25th-75th percentiles, 0.97-9.97). Furthermore, the concentration of t-PA in spermatozoa was significantly associated with pregnancy (odds ratio [OR], 0.995). Likewise, a trend was shown for higher t-PA concentrations in the FF of women with fallopian-tube pathology (geometrical mean, 18.5 pg t-PA/mg protein; 25th-75th percentiles, 11.4-25.7) or endometriosis (geometrical mean, 18.8; 25th-75th percentiles, 11.4-27.1), compared to fertile women (geometrical mean, 14.3; 25th-75th percentiles, 10.3-17.6) and idiopathic subfertile women (geometrical mean, 13.9; 25th-75th percentiles, 9.5-17.8). Also, t-PA in FF is associated with the proportion of cleaved embryos (regression coefficient, 0.16). The concentrations of u-PA, PAI-1, and t-PA-PAI-1 complex were comparable between diagnostic subgroups in both men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
The t-PA concentrations in spermatozoa and FF tend to be higher in human subfertility, and seem to be associated with some fertility outcome parameters.
Ebisch
Inge M W
IM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Steegers-Theunissen
Régine P M
RP
Sweep
Fred C G J
FC
Zielhuis
Gerhard A
GA
Geurts-Moespot
Anneke
A
Thomas
Chris M G
CM
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000032:analysis
D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator