title: Transforming growth factor-β1 and its receptor soluble endoglin are altered in polycystic ovary syndrome during controlled ovarian stimulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and its receptor, soluble endoglin (sENG), in the serum and follicular fluid of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) compared with that of non-PCOS normal ovulating women during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic-affiliated assisted reproductive technology unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen PCOS and 14 matched non-PCOS control women undergoing COS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum was collected on day 3 (baseline), day of hCG, and day of retrieval. Follicular fluid (FF) was collected on day of oocyte retrieval. ELISA was performed to determine TGF-β1 and sENG protein levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum and FF levels of TGF-β1 and sENG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum TGF-β1 did not change significantly during COS but was increased in PCOS compared with non-PCOS women on day 3 and days of hCG administration and oocyte retrieval. Serum sENG increased after hCG administration only in the non-PCOS control group. In addition, serum sENG was decreased in PCOS compared with non-PCOS control women on the days of hCG and retrieval. Accordingly, the bioavailability of TGF-β1 (TGF-β1/sENG ratio) was increased in women with PCOS compared with non-PCOS controls at all three time points. No differences in either factor were noted in FF between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased TGF-β1 bioavailability in PCOS is not only due to increased TGF-β1 levels but also to decreased levels of its receptor, sENG. These data suggest that increased TGF-β1 bioavailability may contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS and its increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation.
authors.affiliation: Genesis Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA. resheft@gmail.com
authors.forename: Reshef
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tal
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Seifer
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shohat-Tal
authors.forename: Richard V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Grazi
authors.forename: Henry E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Malter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000071063:Endoglin; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
keywords: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); angiogenesis; controlled ovarian stimulation (COS); soluble endoglin (sENG); transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)