Influence of follicular phase duration on human granulosa-luteal cell subpopulations in natural and stimulated IVF-ET cycles.

OBJECTIVES

To observe the granulosa-luteal cell subpopulations presented within follicular aspirates concerning duration of the follicular phase and the type of IVF protocol.

DESIGN

Cells were obtained from dominant follicles of 40 women with natural IVF-ET cycles, in which preovulatory hCG was given when the follicle was mature, and from 40 follicles of 32 women with hMG and hCG stimulated IVF-ET cycles. Granulosa-luteal cell subpopulations were observed by computerized image analysis in which hCG was localized using immunoperoxidase staining.

RESULTS

(1) The nonluteinized granulosa cells from natural developing follicles were larger than those from stimulated ones regardless of the follicular phase duration. (2) The size of each luteinized cell subpopulations was influenced neither by the two IVF protocols nor by the follicular phase duration. (3) The hCG stained cells from natural developing follicles were larger than the ones from stimulated follicles and their relative number in aspirates was higher. Cell areas and distribution were not influenced by the duration of follicular phase. (4) In stimulated conditions, hCG stained cells became larger if follicular phase was longer.

CONCLUSIONS

Duration of the follicular phase influences the immunocytochemical hCG localization and the morphometric characteristics of granulosa-luteal cell subpopulations presented within natural developing follicles and stimulated ones.