Apoptotic cell death in human granulosa-lutein cells: a possible indicator of in vitro fertilization outcome.

Objective: To determine whether women who do not conceive during an IVF treatment despite normal FSH levels have a higher rate of apoptosis in their granulosa-lutein cells than women who do conceive.

Design: Prospective.

Setting: Large teaching hospital and fertility center.

Patient(s): Patients with normal FSH levels undergoing an IVF treatment.

Intervention(s): None.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Outcome of the IVF treatment and percentage of apoptotic granulosa-lutein cells.

Result(s): A significantly lower percentage of granulosa-lutein cells were apoptotic in patients who became pregnant compared with those who did not become pregnant. A higher basal FSH level was significantly correlated with the duration of the stimulation, and the number of follicles was significantly inversely correlated with the number of ampules of FSH used and the duration of the treatment. The number of embryos was significantly correlated with the number of oocytes, and significantly inversely correlated with the number of apoptotic granulosa-lutein cells.

Conclusion(s): Fewer granulosa-lutein cells are apoptotic in women who have an ongoing pregnancy after IVF treatment than in women who do not conceive.