Expression of steroid receptors, their cofactors, and aromatase in human luteinized granulosa cells after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine expression of androgen receptor (AR), AR cofactors, estrogen (E) receptor alpha, E receptor beta, progesterone receptor, steroid receptor coactivator-1, and aromatase in human luteinized granulosa cells collected during oocyte retrieval.

DESIGN: Prospective real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction study.

SETTING: Academic medical center.

PATIENT(S): A total of 198 samples were brought into the study.

INTERVENTION(S): Patients underwent the long protocol for assisted reproductive technology. Luteinized granulosa cells were collected transvaginally with ultrasound guidance. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the mRNA expression of the investigated genes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The expression levels were determined as ratios between the studied genes and the reference gene beta-actin.

RESULT(S): There is little AR expression in human luteinized granulosa cells immediately preceding ovulation under controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. All aspirated follicles, despite their antral size, displayed a similar mRNA expression of the investigated genes in the luteinized granulosa cells.

CONCLUSION(S): This study supports the possibility of a transition of androgen action from being an enhancer of follicular differentiation (through the AR) to being a substrate of E synthesis (through aromatase) at the time of oocyte retrieval. The present study also demonstrates no effect of follicular size upon the status of steroid receptor mRNA expression in the luteinized granulosa cells when follicles were at least >1.5 mL.