Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone profiles in human follicular fluid and cultured granulosa cells from luteinized pre-ovulatory follicles.

Background: The production of sex steroids by follicular cells is proposed to be influenced by the maturity of the incumbent oocyte. Thus steroid levels may reflect suitability of an oocyte for IVF. We examined follicular fluids and granulosa cell production of steroid from IVF patients in order to test the relationship between steroid levels and fertilization.

High follicular fluid adenosine levels may be pivotal in the metabolism and recycling of adenosine nucleotides in the human follicle.

This study investigated the biochemical relationship between human follicular/oocyte maturity and the levels of follicular fluid purines. Intrafollicular levels of purine metabolites and creatinine are associated with oocyte presence, and the presence of such high levels of adenosine indicates a privileged site with no adenosine deaminase activity. Subgrouping according to oocyte recovery and fertilization revealed differences in correlation between the purine metabolites: Only where an oocyte was recovered and subsequently fertilized did follicular fluid adenosine, adenine, and hypoxanthine levels correlate with each other.

Human granulosa-lutein cell in vitro production of progesterone, inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A are dependent on follicular size and not the presence of the oocyte.

Objective: To investigate inhibin A, inhibin B, activin A, and P production by cultured granulosa cells (GCs) and what relationship this hormone production has to fertility.

Design: Luteinized GCs from individual follicles were cultured, and inhibin A, inhibin B, activin A, and P production were measured by ELISA at 24 and 72 hours.

Setting: Research laboratory and university hospital.

Follicular fluid levels of inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A levels reflect changes in follicle size but are not independent markers of the oocyte's ability to fertilize.

Objective: To investigate the biochemical relationship between follicular/oocyte maturity and follicular inhibins and activin levels.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Research laboratory in university hospital.