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Luteinized granulosa cells may induce luteinization in IVF
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In nonobese women undergoing in vitro fertilization, luteinized granulosa cells are able to produce 21-hydroxylase-derived mineralocorticoids from cholesterol-containing lipids, thus inducing postovulatory luteinization, recent study data found.
In the retrospective cohort study, the researchers analyzed the luteinized granulosa cell lipid content and follicle fluid hormones of 24 in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. They aspirated follicle fluid from the first follicle (≥16 mm in size) of each ovary upon oocyte retrieval and collected pooled luteinized granulosa cells.
The study results found that there was a positive correlation between luteinized granulosa cell lipid content (84 ± 43 fluorescent units/sample) and the follicle fluid levels of the 21-hydroxylase steroids, 11-deoxycorticosterone (39.97 ng/mL, median) and 11-deoxycortisol (11-deoxycorticosterone, 2.07 ng/mL), as well as the 21-hydroxylase precursor 17-hydroxyprogesterone (1,268.21 ng/mL; P≤.05 for all steroids). Mineralocorticosteroid receptor mRNA and 21-hydroxylase were found to be expressed in luteinized granulosa cells.
“This positive correlation between [follicle fluid] levels of 21-hydroxylase-derived steroids and [luteinized granulosa cell] lipid content in vivo will require additional studies to explore the physiological role of this relationship in human ovarian folliculogenesis,” the researchers wrote.
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to conduct follicle fluid steroid analysis. Luteinized granulosa cell lipid content was quantified using confocal microscopy, and this measure was used to determine the role played by luteinized granulosa cells in in vivo steroidogenesis. Expression of mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA and 21-hydroxylase was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
The investigators used Pearson correlation coefficients to calculate the relationship between follicle fluid steroid levels and luteinized granulosa cell lipid concentrations.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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