Expression, production, and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 by granulosa cells is comparable in women with and without endometriosis

Objective: To investigate, the production and secretion of interleukin (IL) -6 and vascular endothelial growth,a factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein by gran ulosa luteal cells (GCs) in vivo and in vitro in women with and without end ometriosis. Design: Prospective study. Setting: A private, university-affiliated assisted reproduction unit and a university center. Patient(s): Women with severe endometriosis (n = 6) or without the disease (n = 14) after laparoscopy, undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplas mic sperm injection and embryo transfer. Intervention(s): GCs were obtained from each aspirate. Main Outcome Measure(s): Intracellular and secreted protein, as well as mRN A for both VEGF and IL-6 in GCs. Result(s): The expression of VEGF and IL-6 mRNAs in vivo and in vitro was s imilar in both groups. Also, GCs from patients with endometriosis produced and secreted equal amounts of these proteins compared with controls without the disease, either in freshly isolated cells or in 24-hour cultures. Conclusion(s): The GC function in terms of VEGF and IL-6 production does no t seem to be altered in patients with endometriosis in comparison with thos e without this condition. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001;76:568-75. (C) 2001 by Ame rican Society for Reproductive Medicine).