Expression and comparison of gap junction protein connexin 37 in granulosa cells aspirates from follicles of poor responder and nonpoor responder patients.

Objective: To localize gap junction protein connexin 37 (Cx37) in granulosa cells obtained from aspiration of follicles, and to compare differences between poor responder and nonpoor responder patients in assisted reproductive technology.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: IVF unit of a university hospital.

Patient(s): Seventy patients with various causes of infertility, undergoing an IVF treatment.

Intervention(s): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, serum hormone level measurements, ultrasonography scanning of ovarian follicles, oocyte retrieval after hCG administration and embryo transfer.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Outcome of the IVF treatment and expression rate of Cx37 in granulosa cells.

Result(s): Connexin 37 was expressed in the granulosa cells of all the patients. Connexin 37 rate in granulosa cells in the poor responder group was 81.32 +/- 35.86% (distribution: 2.95%-99.9%), while it was 88.98 +/- 23.73% (distribution: 6.30%-100.00%) in the nonpoor responder group. Connexin 37 rates between the two groups were not significantly different.

Conclusion(s): Connexin 37 is expressed in the granulosa layer of follicles in the human ovary, and expression of Cx37 in granulosa cells was not different between poor responder and nonpoor responder patients.