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Mutations in the HSP90 gene do not appear to be a common cause of male factor infertility. The low incidence of gene variation, or SNPs, in infertile men demonstrates that this gene is highly conserved and thus confirms its key role in spermatogenesis and response to heat stress.

Objective To determine whether gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-agonist or -antagonist induces higher percentages of cumulus cell apoptosis and if the use of either is detrimental to ART outcomes. Patients Women in a private facility under treatment for IVF had their cumulus cells isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry. Viable, apoptotic, and dead cumulus cell rates related to ovarian stimulation by GnRH-agonist orantagonist were measured and compared with fertilization and implantation rates. Results Treatment with GnRH-agonist produced a greater number of follicles than treatment with GnRH-antagonist. No differences in implantation and pregnancy rates were found. While cumulus cell (CC) apoptosis was positively correlated with estradiol on the day of hCG administration, no significant difference in the percentage of apoptotic cells between treatments was detectable. Additionally, implantation rate and the average follicular estradiol production on the day of hCG administration were no different between treatments.Conclusions GnRH-agonist or -antagonist treatment protocols induce similar levels of apoptosis in CCs and are not detrimental to ART outcomes.