Intrafollicular cortisol levels inversely correlate with cumulus cell lipid content as a possible energy source during oocyte meiotic resumption in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To determine whether follicular fluid (FF) cortisol levels affect cumulus cell (CC) lipid content during oocyte meiotic resumption, and whether CCs express genes for glucocorticoid action.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Patient(s): Thirty-seven nonobese women underwent ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Intervention(s): At oocyte retrieval, FF was aspirated from the first follicle (>16 mm in size) of each ovary and pooled CCs were collected.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Follicular fluid cortisol and cortisone analysis was performed with the use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. CCs were stained with lipid fluorescent dye Bodipy FL C16 to determine lipid content with the use of confocal microscopy. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CC gene expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) types 1 and 2, glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL).

Result(s): Adjusting for maternal age, FF cortisol levels negatively correlated with CC lipid content and positively correlated with numbers of total and mature oocytes. CCs expressed genes for 11β-HSD type 1 as the predominant 11β-HSD isoform, NR3C1, LPL, and HSL.

Conclusion(s): FF cortisol levels may regulate CC lipolysis during oocyte meiotic resumption and affect oocyte quality during IVF.