Relationship between the steroid and prolactin concentration in follicular fluid and the maturation and fertilizaton of human oocytes

Abstract

Seventy-eight follicles and their follicular fluid were aspirated from 46 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures after stimulation of the ovaries with a low-dose human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation regimen. The concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and prolactin (PRL) were measured in follicular fluid and related to the maturation of the oocyte-corona-cumulus complex (OCCC) and the fertilization of oocytes. Follicles containing mature oocytes had significantly higher follicular fluid E2 and P levels than follicles with intermediate and immature oocytes. A constant decrease in PRL and T values with advancing follicular maturation was observed. Similar results were obtained when the fertilizing ability of the oocytes was examined. The gradual decline in follicular fluid PRL and T levels during follicular development was connected with increasing E2 and P biosynthesis and therefore seems to be an important precondition for normal follicular and oocyte maturation.

Effect of androgen substrates on the steroidogenic pattern of cumulus cells: Correlation with cumulus culture morphology

“…A similar situation exists in the population of small follicles during the luteal phase of normally cycling women (30). A comparable pattern of steroid levels in follicular fluid has been noted in follicles yielding either immature or failed fertilization oocytes in gonadotropin-stimulated cycles (31). Taken together, the steroidogenic pattern of type A cumulus cells resembles the steroidogenic pattern of growing follicles and, to some extent, small follicles.…”

An investigation into the relationship between the metabolic profile of follicular fluid, oocyte developmental potential, and implantation outcome

“…It reflects the metabolism of the whole follicle, contains regulatory molecules that are crucial for the successful maturation of oocytes, and is a byproduct of oocyte retrieval, all of which make it an ideal candidate for development as an noninvasive oocyte selection method. Previous studies have looked at the concentration of various hormones (8)(9)(10)(11)(12), growth factors (13)(14)(15)(16)(17), and reactive oxygen species (18)(19)(20) in human follicular fluid and have tried with limited success to relate it to fertilization rate, oocyte developmental potential, and pregnancy outcome. Targeted analysis of certain amino acids has revealed interesting correlations with IVF outcomes in human studies (21)(22)(23).…”

Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer treatment

“…Reinthaller et al (30,31) found an inverse correlation between follicular PRL levels and oocyte maturation. The more mature oocytes have lower levels of PRL and higher levels of P, T, and E 2 at the time of egg retrieval.…”

“…The more mature oocytes have lower levels of PRL and higher levels of P, T, and E 2 at the time of egg retrieval. Reinthaller et al (30,31) hypothesize that PRL inhibits the aromatization of androgens to estrogens in counterpoint to FSH stimulatory effects. PRL appears to exert a regulatory influence upon the estrogen-androgen metabolism in granulosa cells within the developing follicle, specifically on the aromatase enzyme.…”