HUMAN FOLLICULAR-FLUID PROTEOGLYCANS IN RELATION TO IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION

Objective: To determine whether the concentrations of proteoglycans an d hyaluronan in human follicular fluid (FF) are associated with follic ular volume, oocyte fertilization, and ET during IVF. Design: The FF f rom individual follicles were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent a ssay methods for quantification of a larger chondroitin sulfate proteo glycan and a smaller composite heparan-chondroitin sulfate proteoglyca n were established. Hyaluronan and E-2 were measured by RIA techniques . Patient(s): Sixteen infertile women participating in the IVF program . Main Outcome Measure(s): Concentrations of the proteoglycans, follic ular volume, fertilization, and ET rates. Result(s): The follicles con tained high concentrations of proteoglycans with an average of 0.8 mg/ mL of FF, and approximately 70% consisted of the larger chondroitin su lfate proteoglycan, and 30% of the heparan-chondroitin sulfate proteog lycan. A negative correlation was found between the follicular volume, the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (r = -0.43), and hyaluronan (r = -0.56). The percentage of embryos developed in culture was significan tly higher in follicles larger than 2 mt. A significant and 35% lower concentration of the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan was found in lar ger follicles from which subsequent ET was observed. The heparan-chond roitin sulfate proteoglycan and hyaluronan were both unrelated to fert ilization and ET in vitro. Conclusion(s): Lower concentrations of chon droitin sulfate proteoglycan were associated with higher follicular vo lumes and greater fertilization and ET rates. These associations could merely reflect the maturation of the follicle or a role of the chondr oitin sulfate proteoglycan in the fertilization process. (C) 1997 by A merican Society for Reproductive Medicine.