Messenger RNA expression for the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor in human oocytes and preimplantation-stage embryos.

Objective: To study the expression of the FSH and LH receptors in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos and their potential roles in early human development.

Design: Clinical and molecular studies.

Setting: University hospital IVF center.

Patient(s): Female volunteers undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection at the IVF unit of the Athens University Hospital. All patients gave written informed consent.

Intervention(s): Ovarian stimulation was performed with exogenous gonadotropin administration. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed on mature oocytes.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Unfertilized oocytes and zygotes and embryos at the 2-cell, 4-cell, morula, and blastocyst stage were selected for study. A polymerase chain reaction methodology was used to analyze human oocytes and embryos. Messenger RNA was reverse transcribed and amplified with FSH and LH receptor specific primers.

Result(s): Transcripts for the FSH receptor were detected in oocytes and zygotes and embryos at the 2-cell, morula, and blastocyst stage, while no message was detected in embryos at the 4-cell stage. Transcripts for the LH receptor were observed in oocytes and zygotes and morula- and blastocyst-stage embryos, whereas no message was detected in embryos at the 2-cell and 4-cell stage.

Conclusion(s): Messenger RNA for the FSH and LH receptors was observed in oocytes and preimplantation embryos at different stages, indicating a physiological role in the oocyte maturation process and early embryonic development in the human.