Amphiregulin is much more abundantly expressed than transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor in human follicular fluid obtained from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the most important epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand in the LH or hCG signal pathway in human ovary.


METHODS
A retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
Tertiary university hospital.


METHODS
Ninety-eight infertile patients who underwent IVF-embryo transfer.


METHODS
Sera and follicular fluid were collected at the time of oocyte retrieval. The levels of EGF, transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha), and amphiregulin (AR) were measured in follicular fluid and sera by using ELISA.


METHODS
The relationships between the level of AR and level of hCG, fertilization rate, and embryo quality.


RESULTS
Amphiregulin was abundantly expressed in follicular fluid after hCG stimulation. Although large differences were found between AR and both EGF and TGFalpha in follicular fluid, no significant difference was detected in the levels of the three EGF receptor ligands in sera. The level of AR was inversely correlated with the fertilization rate and hCG level, whereas little significant association was observed between the level of AR and embryo quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Amphiregulin was expressed most dominantly among EGF receptor ligands tested and may mediate the hCG signal in human oocyte maturation. Elaborate interaction between AR and hCG may be required for an optimal oocyte maturation.
Inoue
Yoshihito
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan. zenjin@fukuoka-u.ac.jp
Miyamoto
Shingo
S
Fukami
Tatsuya
T
Shirota
Kyoko
K
Yotsumoto
Fusanori
F
Kawarabayashi
Tatsuhiko
T
D000328:Adult; D066258:Amphiregulin; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011786:Quality Control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
C587848:AREG protein, human; D066258:Amphiregulin; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors