GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASES IN HUMAN OVARIAN FOLLICULAR-FLUID

Objective: To study the levels of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 in human preovulatory ovarian fol licular fluid (FF) and pooled granulosa and cumulus cells. Design: The relation of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-tra nsferase Pi 1-1 with P and 17 beta-E-2 concentrations were studied. Se tting: The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Department of Gastroenterology, and the Laboratory of Endocrinology and Reproduction of the University Hospital Nijmegen in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Pat ient(s): Infertile women participating in an IVF program. Result(s): D etectable amounts of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathio ne S-transferase Pi 1-1 were found in ovarian FF and pooled cumulus an d granulosa cells. Concentrations of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1 -1 were always much higher than those of glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1. Both ovarian FF concentrations of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 did not correlate with ovari an FF concentrations of 17 beta-E-2 and P. Conclusion(s): The high FF concentrations of glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 and especially of g lutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 suggest that these enzymes may play an important role in the detoxification processes in the follicles. T he lack of correlation between follicular P and 17 beta-E-2 and glutat hione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 ind icates that both enzymes presumably are not present as a result of the high steroid levels. (C) 1997 by American Society for Reproductive Me dicine.