Abstract
Inhibin, a gonadal glycoprotem which suppresses pituitary gonadotrophin secretion, preferentially follicle stimulating hormone, has been extensively characterized. It consists of two covalently bound subunits, the α- and β-subunits, encoded by separate genes. In this study, the expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for the inhibin α-subunit was studied by Northern blot analysis in granulosa cells of women undergoing in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET). Three patient groups were studied: women who failed to become pregnant (n=11), women who became pregnant but experienced early spontaneous abortion (n=3) and women who conceived normal ongoing pregnancies (n=4). Granulosa cells were obtained at the time of follicle aspiration. Levels of alpha-subunit mRNA were 40% lower in patients establishing normal pregnancies than in those who failed to become pregnant or who spontaneously aborted. Thus, a relative diminution of immediately preovulatory levels of mRNA for inhibin α-subunit Is a marker of success in clinical LVFIET cycles. This marker of IVF/ET success can be related to previously established markers of success (increased follicular fluid oestradiol and decreased follicular fluid cyclic adenosine monophosphate) by known physiological mechanisms.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 351-355 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Human Reproduction |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1991 |
Keywords
- Alpha-subunit
- IVF-ET
- Inhibin
- Messenger ribonucleic acid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine