Comparison of Apoptosis, Proliferation Rate, and Viability of Granulosa Cells in Follicular Fluid according to the Basal FSH Concentration

Kim, J H; Chae, H D; Kang, E H; Chu, H S; Jeon, Y P; Kang, B M

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare the apoptosis rate, proliferation rate, and viability of granulosa cells in follicular fluid of the patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer[IVF-ET] according to their basal follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] concentration. Materials and
METHODS
From March 1997 to februry 1998, total 64 patients were included in this study. Parients were allocated to the low basal FSH group [<8.5 mIU/ml, n = 43] and the high basal FSH group[>=8.5 mIU/ml, n=21]. The basal levels of FSH were measured in the 3rd day of menstrual cycle preceding ovearian stimulation cycle in total IVF cycles by immunoradiometric assay [IRMA]. The controlled ovarian hyperstimulation [COH] using luteal long protocol of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist [GnRH-a] was used in all patients. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase[TdT]-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labeling [TUNEL] mothod. Statistical analysis was performed using Student`s t-test, Fisher`s exact test, and X-square test as appropriate. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05.
RESULTS
There were no statistical significant differences in the clinical outcomes of the patients between the both groups. The apoptosis rate of hight FSH group seemed to be higher than the low FSH group, although there was no statistically significant difference [4.1 - 7.5% vs, 3.4 - 4.1%]. The proliferation rates were not differed between the both groups. However, the viability of low FSH group was significantly higher than high FSH group [77.9 -8.1% vs, 67.9 - 7.2%, p<0.01].
CONCLUSION
It was true that the viability of the granulosa cells in low FSH group was significantly higher than high FSH group, however there was no significant differences in apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells between the two groups.