Decreased expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases in follicular fluid from women with polycystic ovaries compared with normally ovulating patients undergoing in vitro fertilization
Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Israeli Society of Fertilization Research, Tel Aviv, Israel, May 30–31, 2001.
Received 19 March 2002; received in revised form 26 July 2002; accepted 26 July 2002.
Abstract
Objective
To compare activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and expression of their tissue-specific inhibitor (TIMP) in the follicular fluid of normally ovulating women and women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Design
Prospective study.
Setting
IVF unit and endocrine research unit.
Patient(s)
Fourteen patients undergoing IVF treatment (seven with normal ovulation and seven with PCOS).
Main outcome measure(s)
Activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and expression of MMP-1, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 was measured in follicular fluid of the leading follicles by using gel zymography and immunoblot analysis.
Result(s)
The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and expression of MMP-1 was similar in follicular fluid of normally ovulating patients and patients with PCOS. Significantly lower expression of TIMP-1 was found in follicular fluid of patients with PCOS women compared with normally ovulating patients.
Conclusion(s)
Because MMPs and TIMPs play a role in the physical and chemical structure of the follicular compartment, the decreased expression of TIMP in patients with PCOS may be part of a compensatory process to overcome the physical properties of the thick ovarian capsule.
ABSTRACT