Steroidogenesis of cultured granulosa cells in women at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To determine if cultured human granulosa cells (GCs) obtained from women at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) possess altered steroidogenic capacity.

Design: Prospective analysis of 28 consecutive in vitro fertilization-gamete intrafallopian transfer (IVF-GIFT) cycles.

Setting: In Vitro Fertilization Program at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Patients: Eighteen patients (group I) with serum estradiol (E2) levels > 7,342 pmol/L on the day of exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (day 0) with > 10 ovarian follicles present (high risk for OHSS); 10 patients (group II) with E2 < or = 7,342 pmol/L on day 0 and < or = 10 follicles.

Interventions: Human GCs obtained during gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-pretreated IVF-GIFT cycles were cultured in the absence (control) or presence (hCG) of hCG, 1 IU/mL, and/or androstenedione (A) 10(-7) M. Granulosa cells obtained from follicles < or = 15 mm diameter were cultured separately from those obtained from follicles > 15 mm diameter.

Main outcome measures: Estradiol (E2) and progesterone were measured in tissue-culture medium by a solid-phase direct radioimmunoassay.

Results: In vitro E2 production by cultured GCs was significantly increased in follicles < or = 15 mm diameter from women considered at risk of developing OHSS (group I). Estradiol response to hCG and/or A appeared enhanced in all follicles in group I. Progesterone production in the basal and hCG challenged state was greater in cells obtained from large follicles in group I than in group II.

Conclusion: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome appears to be a function of an increased number of follicles that express an enhanced steroidogenic capacity.