Expression and comparison of gap junction protein connexin 37 in granulosa cells aspirates from follicles of poor responder and nonpoor responder patients.
OBJECTIVE
To localize gap junction protein connexin 37 (Cx37) in granulosa cells obtained from aspiration of follicles, and to compare differences between poor responder and nonpoor responder patients in assisted reproductive technology.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
IVF unit of a university hospital.


METHODS
Seventy patients with various causes of infertility, undergoing an IVF treatment.


METHODS
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, serum hormone level measurements, ultrasonography scanning of ovarian follicles, oocyte retrieval after hCG administration and embryo transfer.


METHODS
Outcome of the IVF treatment and expression rate of Cx37 in granulosa cells.


RESULTS
Connexin 37 was expressed in the granulosa cells of all the patients. Connexin 37 rate in granulosa cells in the poor responder group was 81.32 +/- 35.86% (distribution: 2.95%-99.9%), while it was 88.98 +/- 23.73% (distribution: 6.30%-100.00%) in the nonpoor responder group. Connexin 37 rates between the two groups were not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
Connexin 37 is expressed in the granulosa layer of follicles in the human ovary, and expression of Cx37 in granulosa cells was not different between poor responder and nonpoor responder patients.
Cepni
Ismail
I
Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF-ET Unit, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Kahraman
Nurhan
N
Ocal
Pelin
P
Idil
Mehmet
M
Uludag
Seyfettin
S
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein
D017630:Connexins; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein