Matrix metalloproteinase 2 level in human follicular fluid is a reliable marker of human oocyte maturation in in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.
BACKGROUND
To determine whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in human follicular fluid, have any relationships with oocyte maturation in vivo and subsequent fertilization during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.


METHODS
The follicular fluids were obtained from 150 female patients undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles and a total of 1504 oocytes were retrieved for analysis. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were measured using zymography assay. TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 concentrations were quantitatively assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
Human follicular fluid MMP-2 level was significantly associated with the rate of maturity of oocytes (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the MMP-2 was significantly associated with the higher fertilization rate (P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between follicular MMP-9 and the maturation rate of oocytes. The TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 also showed no correlation with the oocyte maturation rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The level of gelatinase MMP-2 in human follicular fluid might be a reliable marker of mature oocytes during IVF/ICSI cycles. Furthermore, the MMP-2 expression has a strong association with higher fertilization rate. Further studies are needed to support this theory.
Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan. molinda11@yahoo.com.tw.|Department of Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, Ton-Yen General Hospital, Hsinchu County, Taiwan. molinda11@yahoo.com.tw.|Division of Infertility and Reproductive Medicine, Taiwan IVF Group Center, Hsinchu City, Taiwan. molinda11@yahoo.com.tw.
Wen-Jui
WJ
Yang
Department of Pharmacy, Wei Gong Memorial Hospital, Miaoli County, Taiwan. fonchang008@yahoo.com.tw.
Fon-Chang
FC
Liu
Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan. popcap_1@hotmail.com.
Jih-Sheng
JS
Hsieh
Department of Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, Ton-Yen General Hospital, Hsinchu County, Taiwan. icryoegg@gmail.com.
Ching-Hung
CH
Chen
Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch, No.690, Sec. 2, Guangfu Road, Hsinchu City, 30071, Taiwan. hssypp@yahoo.com.tw.
Shun-Yu
SY
Hsiao
Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan. lincs@mail.nctu.edu.tw.
Chih-Sheng
CS
Lin
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate / Q000639:trends; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods*
D015415:Biomarkers; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2