title: Glycosaminoglycan and transforming growth factor beta1 changes in human plasma and urine during the menstrual cycle, in vitro fertilization treatment, and pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) changes in human plasma and urine during the menstrual cycle, IVF-ET, and pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen women with apparently normal menstrual cycle (group 1); 18 women undergoing IVF-ET (group 2); and 14 low-risk pregnant women (group 3).
  
  
  METHODS
  We assayed plasma and urine concentrations of TGF-beta1, urine content, and distribution of GAG. Blood and urine samples were collected during days 2 to 3, 12 to 13, and 23 to 24 in group 1; in group 2, samples were obtained at menstrual phase, oocyte pick-up day, and 15 days after ET; in group 3, samples were obtained during gestational weeks 10-12, 22-24, and 30-32 and 1 month after delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in TGF-beta1 and GAG content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean value of total urinary trypsin inhibitor/chondroitin sulfate (UTI/CS) showed a distinct peak at day 12 of the menstrual cycle in the fertile women in whom we monitored the ovulatory period. In the IVF-ET group, GAG distribution and TGF-beta1 levels showed significant differences during the cycle. We observed increased levels of plasma TGF-beta1 15 days after ET. A significant increase of total UTI/CS value with increasing gestation was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transforming growth factor beta1 and GAG levels could represent an additional tool to monitor reproductive events and could be useful, noninvasive markers of ovulation and ongoing pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological, Biochemical and Cellular Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Muro
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Formato
authors.forename: Antonio Junior
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lepedda
authors.forename: Gian Mario
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Cherchi
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gordini
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dessole
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D004231:Diuresis; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha; D003404:Creatinine