Intrafollicular levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 in patients with polycystic ovaries are not associated with pregnancy rate during IVF cycle.
This study aimed to detect the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, in the follicular fluid of 35 patients with polycystic ovaries, compare them with the levels found in 35 normally ovulating women enrolled in their first in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle and then correlate them with pregnancy rates in these two groups. Levels of MMP-9 were found significantly increased in women with polycystic ovaries when compared with the controls, while MMP-2 levels were higher in women with polycystic ovaries without reaching statistical significance. The two groups did not differ in age, in the number of embryos transferred or in pregnancy rates. In conclusion, the results indicated an increased gelatinolytic activity in patients with polycystic ovaries after ovarian stimulation for IVF treatment without detecting any association between levels of MMP-2 and 9 and IVF pregnancy rates.
Department of Biopathology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens, Greece. ivf@aretaieio.uoa.gr
Stavroula
S
Baka
Konstantina
K
Zourla
Ariadne
A
Malamitsi-Puchner
Evangelos
E
Makrakis
George
G
Kaparos
Stella
S
Demeridou
Theodore
T
Moustakarias
Despoina
D
Tzanakaki
Dimitris
D
Hassiakos
Evangelia
E
Kouskouni
D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate
D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9