Subpopulations of human granulosa-luteal cells obtained from gonadotropin-or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist/gonadotropin-treated follicles in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles

Purpose: Our purpose Mas to find the differences in granulosa-luteal cells obtained from gonadotroin- versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) ago nist/gonadotropin-treated follicles in in vitro fertilization-embryo transf er (IVF-ET) cycles. Methods: Granulosa-luteal cells were obtained from 45 follicles of women un der-going IVF-ET with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and hum an menopausal gonadotropin,in (hMG) and from 45 follicles of women with hMG IVF-ET cycles. Subpopulations of granulosa-luteal cells were observed by c omputerized image analysis in which human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was localized using immunoperoxidase staining. Results: The luteinized granulosa-luteal cells from hMG-treated follicles w ere larger, than those from CnRH agonist/hMG-treated follicles. The hMG-tre ated follicles contained more hCG-stained cells. particularly those with cy toplasmic hCG localization. Conclusions: We found differences in morphometric characteristics and hCG l ocalization in granulosa-luteal cells obtained from hMG- versus GnRH agonis t/hMG-treated follicles. We presume that the results indicate the influence and importance of luteal-phase support on the clinical pregnancy rate in G nRH agonist/hMG-treated IVF-ET cycles.