Periovulatory Follicular Fluid Hormone Levels in Spontaneous Human Cycles*

Abstract

We measured follicular fluid hormone levels in 48 normally cycling infertile women who underwent follicle puncture and oocyte retrieval during diagnostic laparoscopy at time-bracketed intervals after an endogenous LH surge. Follicular fluid LH, FSH, PRL, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), androstenedione (A), and testosterone (T) concentrations and P/E2 and A/E2 ratios were determined. Oocytes were classified as germinal vesicle (gv), metaphase I (mI), metaphase II (mII), or degenerating (dg). Follicular fluid (ff) hormone levels then were correlated with the stage of oocyte maturation. There were no differences in ff E1 or E2 levels at any stage of oocyte maturation, except that the mean ff E2 concentration was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in ff containing dg oocytes [2,474 +/- 1,435 (+/- SE) nmol/L] than in those containing the other oocyte stages. The mean P levels were significantly (P less than 0.0001) higher in ff containing mI (48,781 +/- 10,240 nmol/L) and mII (41,801 +/- 11,098 nmol/L) oocytes than in ff containing gv oocytes (1371 +/- 696 nmol/L). The mean A level was highest (P less than 0.01) in dg-associated ff. Similarly, T was highest (P less than 0.05) in ff containing dg (52 +/- 14 nmol/L) oocytes than in ff containing mI (10.7 +/- 10.1 nmol/L) or mII (10.1 +/- 4 nmol/L) oocytes, and it was also elevated (P less than 0.05) in gv ff (72 +/- 33 nmol/L) compared to mII ff. The above differences also were reflected in the P/E2 ratio, which was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in mI and mII ff, as well as in the A/E2 ratio, which was higher (P less than 0.05) in ff containing mI and mII oocytes compared to ff containing gv or dg oocytes. These data define the evolving changes in the microenvironment of the follicular fluid of preovulatory follicles of normally cycling women. They also provide reference points for analysis of ff obtained from women during stimulated cycles intended for in vitro fertilization.

Estradiol and testosterone concentrations in follicular fluid as criteria to discriminate between mature and immature oocytes

“…Several investigators have demonstrated that mature oocytes with a higher potential for fertilization are also associated with lower testosterone levels in FF at the time of follicular rupture (20,21). Our results are in agreement with these data.…”

Manipulation of Human Ovarian Function: Physiological Concepts and Clinical Consequences

“…Large (Ͼ8 mm diameter) follicles in the mid-and late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle contain appreciable (up to 10,000-fold) higher quantities of E 2 compared with small follicles, as has been shown by numerous authors (60, 75,76,[83][84][85][86][87]. Intrafollicular E 2 concentrations were up to 40,000-fold higher than those in peripheral plasma, and 20-fold higher concentrations of E 2 have been observed in venous blood draining the ovary containing the dominant follicle as compared with the contralateral side (88,89).…”

Null mutation of the prolactin receptor gene produces multiple reproductive defects in the mouse.

“…A number of studies have examined the prolactin concentration of follicular fluid in maturing ova. Generally, a higher level of prolactin is seen in follicles containing mature oocytes capable of being fertilized (Laufer et al 1984;Bohnet et al 1985;Reinthaller et al 1987a,b;Gonen and Casper 1989;Seibel et al 1989;Oda et al 1991;Yoshimura et al 1991), although others find no relationship (Messinis and Templeton 1987) or suggest a negative effect (Irahara et al 1991). Using immature eggs collected from mouse ovaries, prolactin was found to increase the rate of germinal vesicle breakdown and subsequent fertilization and correct development in vitro (Randall et al 1990).…”