Could induced apoptosis of human granulosa cells predict in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer outcome?: A preliminary study of 25 women

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between induced apoptosis of human luteinized granulosa cells (GCs) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. Study design: We induced apoptosis with interferon gamma and an anti-human Fas antibody in cultured GCs isolated from follicular fluids coming from 25 different yeomen undergoing 25 consecutive IVF cycles, After examination of 1000 GCs stained by DAPI with a fluorescent microscope. we determined the percentages of apoptotic GCs. Ovarian, endometrial and IVF parameters were recorded for every woman. Results: We classified the women according to their induced GCs apoptosis percentages in two groups. Group 1 with a low, percentage of apoptotic GCs (11.6 +/- 4.8%) had a significantly higher pregnancy rate (P < 0.05) than group 2 with a high percentage of apoptotic GCs (59.5 +/- 14.8%). No other statistically significant differences were observed, Conclusion: Resistance of human GCs to apoptosis might be implicated in IVF outcome. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.