Could induced apoptosis of human granulosa cells predict in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer outcome?: A preliminary study of 25 women

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 103; no. 2; pp. 150 - 153
• Main Authors: Sifer, Christophe, Bénifla, Jean-Louis, Bringuier, Annie-France, Porcher, Raphael, Blanc-Layrac, Grazielle, Madélénat, Patrick, Feldmann, Gerard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 10.07.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Cells, Cultured; Embryo Transfer - statistics & numerical data; Endometriosis - pathology; fas Receptor - immunology; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Granulosa Cells - drug effects; Granulosa Cells - pathology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Human granulosa cell; Humans; In vitro fertilization; Interferon-gamma - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Sterility. Assisted procreation; Treatment Outcome; Human granulosa cell; In vitro fertilization; Pregnancy; Apoptosis; In vitro fertilization embryo transfer; Human; Pathology; Ovarian follicular fluid; Granulosa cell; Prognosis; Immunocytochemistry; Assisted procreation; Biological marker; Female
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/S0301-2115(02)00043-X

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between induced apoptosis of human luteinized granulosa cells (GCs) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. Study design: We induced apoptosis with interferon gamma and an anti-human Fas antibody in cultured GCs isolated from follicular fluids coming from 25 different women undergoing 25 consecutive IVF cycles. After examination of 1000 GCs stained by DAPI with a fluorescent microscope, we determined the percentages of apoptotic GCs. Ovarian, endometrial and IVF parameters were recorded for every woman. Results: We classified the women according to their induced GCs apoptosis percentages in two groups. Group 1 with a low percentage of apoptotic GCs (11.6±4.8%) had a significantly higher pregnancy rate ( P<0.05) than group 2 with a high percentage of apoptotic GCs (59.5±14.8%). No other statistically significant differences were observed. Conclusion: Resistance of human GCs to apoptosis might be implicated in IVF outcome