title: Correlation between PPARγ protein expression level in granulosa cells and pregnancy rate in IVF program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peroxisome proliferative-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors that involved in cellular lipid metabolism and differentiation. The subtype γ of the PPAR family (PPARγ) plays important roles in physiologic functions of ovaries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine correlation between PPARγ protein level in granulosa cells and pregnancy rate in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, twenty-five samples of granulosa cells were collected from women referred to an IVF treatment center. PPARγ protein expression level in granulosa cells was determined in comparison with β-actin level as control gene with Western blot test. Laboratory pregnancy was determined by a rise in blood β-hCG level fourteen days after embryo transfer. Correlation analyses were used to test for associations between the oocytes and pregnancy occurrence as outcome variables and PPARγ protein expression level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Correlation analysis indicated that there was no significant relationship between granulosa cells PPARγ protein level with IVF parameters including number of matured oocytes and the ratio of fertilized to matured oocytes. Comparison of granulosa cells PPARγ protein level with positive and negative laboratory pregnancy revealed also no significant relationship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of this study, PPARγ protein level in granulosa cells could not be directly correlated to the success rate of IVF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahmani
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Research Center, Ghazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Najafipour
authors.affiliation: Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Alzahra Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Laya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Farzadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sakhinia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Darabi
authors.affiliation: Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Alzahra Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Vahideh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shahnazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehdizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Maghsod
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaaker
authors.affiliation: Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noori
keywords: Granulosa cells; In-vitro fertilization; Peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor γ; Pregnancy rate