title: Intrafollicular cortisol levels inversely correlate with cumulus cell lipid content as a possible energy source during oocyte meiotic resumption in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether follicular fluid (FF) cortisol levels affect cumulus cell (CC) lipid content during oocyte meiotic resumption, and whether CCs express genes for glucocorticoid action.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven nonobese women underwent ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
  
  
  METHODS
  At oocyte retrieval, FF was aspirated from the first follicle (>16 mm in size) of each ovary and pooled CCs were collected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Follicular fluid cortisol and cortisone analysis was performed with the use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. CCs were stained with lipid fluorescent dye Bodipy FL C16 to determine lipid content with the use of confocal microscopy. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CC gene expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) types 1 and 2, glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adjusting for maternal age, FF cortisol levels negatively correlated with CC lipid content and positively correlated with numbers of total and mature oocytes. CCs expressed genes for 11β-HSD type 1 as the predominant 11β-HSD isoform, NR3C1, LPL, and HSL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FF cortisol levels may regulate CC lipolysis during oocyte meiotic resumption and affect oocyte quality during IVF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Ariel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Simerman
authors.affiliation: ART Reproductive Center, Beverly Hills, California.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Statistics Core, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Tristan R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Grogan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Statistics Core, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elashoff
authors.affiliation: Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, California.
authors.forename: Nigel J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Ellen H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Alexa N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Manrriquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Gregorio D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Chazenbalk
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: ddumesic@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dumesic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008540:Meiosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Cortisol; cumulus cell lipid; in vitro fertilization; meiosis; oocyte developmental competence