PRESENCE OF LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR AND INTERLEUKIN-12 IN HUMAN FOLLICULAR-FLUID DURING FOLLICULAR-GROWTH

PROBLEM: Cytokines have been shown to be present in human follicular f luid and have regulatory functions on follicular maturation. The prese nce of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and interleukin (IL)-12 in hum an follicular fluid obtained at different stages of maturation was inv estigated. METHOD OF STUDY: Follicular fluids and granulosa cells were obtained from preovulatory and immature follicles. Follicular fluids from both groups were assayed for IL-12 and LIF by enzyme-linked immun osorbent assay. Granulosa cells from preovulatory and immature follicl es were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in vitro and s ubsequent LIF and IL-12 production were measured. RESULTS: The average concentration of LIF was significantly higher in preovulatory follicl es (7.6 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, n = 24) than in immature follicles (2.0 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, n = 6). The concentration of IL-12 was significantly higher in follicular fluid obtained from immature follicles (10.9 +/- 5.0 pg/ml ) than in preovulatory follicles (1.3 +/- 0.4 pg/ml). hCG only stimula ted LIF production from mature granulosa cells; it had no effect on IL -12 production. CONCLUSIONS: IL-12 and LIF are present in follicular f luid and their levels are regulated differently during follicular matu ration. hCG stimulates LIF production from granulosa cells in vitro.