Follicular GH and IGF1 Levels Are Associated With Oocyte Cohort Quality: A Pilot Study

Abstract

IntroductionOocyte quality contributes to the development of an optimal embryo and thus a successful pregnancy. The objective of this study was to analyse the association between oocyte cohort quality and the follicular levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4) and antithyroid antibodies, as a function of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.Material and methodsWe conducted a prospective comparative pilot study from January 2013 to December 2017. 59 ICSI cycles constituted an abnormal oocyte cohort (n=34 cycles, in which more than 50% of oocytes presented at least one morphological abnormality) and a normal oocyte cohort (n=25 cycles, in which 50% or less of the oocytes presented at least one morphological abnormality). GH, IGF1, 25OHD, TSH, fT3, fT4 and antithyroid antibodies were measured in follicular fluid.ResultsThe fertilisation rate was lower in the abnormal oocyte cohort (65.5% vs. 80%, respectively, p=0.012). Oocytes’ proportion with at least one abnormality was 79.4% in the abnormal oocyte cohort and 29.0% in the normal oocyte cohort. The mean number of morphological abnormalities per oocyte was significantly higher in the abnormal oocyte cohort. The follicular levels of GH (4.98 vs. 2.75 mIU/L, respectively; p <0.01) and IGF1 (72.1 vs. 54.2 ng/mL, respectively; p=0.05) were higher in the normal oocyte cohort. There was no association with follicular levels of TSH, fT3, fT4, antithyroid antibodies, or 25OHD.ConclusionOocyte cohort quality appears to be associated with follicular levels of GH and IGF1.

Büyüme hormonu seviyeleri ile over rezervleri arasındaki ilişki

“…The median age was 35.5 (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40) in Group-I, 29.5 (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38) in Group-II, and 33.0 in Group-III, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). The mean BMI was 23.55 in Group-I, 23.1 in Group-II, and 24.0 in Group-III (p=0.751).…”

“…However, it has no direct relation with OR; the possible positive effect on ovarian response may be related with proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells by IGF-1. A pilot study published recently investigated the relationship between oocyte quality and follicular GH and IGF-1 levels 30 . The results show that levels of GH and IGF1 were higher in the normal oocyte cohort than in the abnormal oocyte cohort.…”

Growth hormone in fertility and infertility: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications

“…GH is more frequently applied as an adjuvant reagent during fertility treatment, and the results from studies using animal and human models demonstrate that GH and IGF-1 are important intraovarian regulators of steroidogenesis, cell proliferation, and follicular development ( 42 ). Indeed, a prospective comparative pilot study showed that the follicular levels of GH and IGF-1 are higher in the corresponding oocytes with a normal morphology ( 80 ), indicating a correlation of follicular fluid GH/IGF-1 levels with oocyte quality. In dairy cows, intraovarian IGF-1 injection increases the cell number of the inner cell mass (ICM) during the morula to blastocyst transition of the embryos, indicating a regulatory role of IGF-1 in embryo development ( 81 ).…”

“…Another study also found a positive correlation between follicular IGF-1 and the number of matured oocytes ( 102 ). With regard to oocyte quality, a recent prospective pilot study found that the follicular fluid levels of GH and IGF-1 were higher in the normal oocyte cohort than in the abnormal oocyte cohort (more than 50% of oocytes presented at least one morphological abnormality), indicating a positive correlation between the follicular fluid levels of GH and IGF-1 and oocyte quality ( 80 ). Additionally, this study also demonstrated that the fertilization rate was higher in the normal oocyte cohort than in the abnormal oocyte cohort ( 80 ).…”

“…With regard to oocyte quality, a recent prospective pilot study found that the follicular fluid levels of GH and IGF-1 were higher in the normal oocyte cohort than in the abnormal oocyte cohort (more than 50% of oocytes presented at least one morphological abnormality), indicating a positive correlation between the follicular fluid levels of GH and IGF-1 and oocyte quality ( 80 ). Additionally, this study also demonstrated that the fertilization rate was higher in the normal oocyte cohort than in the abnormal oocyte cohort ( 80 ). In terms of embryo quality, studies comparing follicular fluid hormones showed that higher GH concentrations in follicular fluid were positively associated with various parameters of embryo quality, including cleavage rate, good morphology, and implantation potential ( 105 , 106 ).…”