title: Anti-Müllerian hormone remains highly expressed in human cumulus cells during the final stages of folliculogenesis.
abstract: This study evaluated whether anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was differentially expressed in cumulus (CC) and granulosa (GC) cells from large antral and pre-ovulatory follicles collected from individual follicles in women undergoing in-vitro maturation (IVM) or IVF treatment. Expression studies of AMH, AMH receptor 2, FSH receptor, aromatase and androgen receptor were performed in CC in IVM patients where cumulus-oocyte-complex had expanded, CC in IVM patients where cumulus-oocyte-complex remained compacted, GC from immature follicles and CC and GC from IVF patients. Microarray data on corresponding GC and CC from follicles from IVF patients was included. AMH expression was significantly higher in CC than in GC from both mature and immature follicles and in CC from immature follicles than in CC from pre-ovulatory follicles from IVF patients (P < 0.05). AMH expression was significantly higher in CC that remained compacted compared with those that had expanded (P < 0.008). AMH was correlated to the expression of FSH receptor, androgen receptor and AMH receptor 2 but not to aromatase expression. The expression pattern of AMH receptor 2 reflected that of AMH. AMH may exert intrafollicular functions even in human large antral and pre-ovulatory follicles and may be related to follicular health.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen University, Denmark. marie.louise.groendahl@rh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Grøndahl
authors.forename: M Eilsø
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Dal Canto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fadini
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Westergaard
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yding Andersen
mesh_terms: D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000378:metabolism; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; C084621:anti-Mullerian hormone receptor; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D001141:Aromatase