Abstract
BackgroundSerum AMH is declining with age and is highly associated with ovarian follicular reserve and disordered folliculogenesis. However, the precise role of AMH in the process of human follicular aging has still to be determined.AimThis study investigates AMH level in the follicular fluid (FF) and mRNA expression pattern in cumulus and mural granulosa cells of human ovarian follicles in relation to age.MethodsWe conducted a prospective study. Sixty-eight women undergoing In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment were enrolled in the study. We obtained FF, mural and cumulus granulosa cells from large preovulatory follicles (17-20 mm) of 21–35 years old women (n = 40) and 40–45 years old women (n = 28) during oocyte pickup.ResultsHigher level of AMH mRNA expression in cumulus cells was observed in the older age group compared to the younger (P <0.01). In accordance with AMH mRNA expression results, FF AMH protein levels were significantly higher in the older group than in the younger group (4.7 ± 1.1 ng\\ml and 2.3 ± 0.2 ng\\ml respectively, p < 0.002).ConclusionsAMH is highly expressed and secreted from cumulus GCs of advanced age patients. This remarkable correlation between AMH mRNA levels in cumulus cells in respect to age suggests that AMH may be involved in follicular aging process.
Highlights
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is highly expressed and secreted from cumulus granulosa cells (GCs) of advanced age patients. This remarkable correlation between AMH mRNA levels in cumulus cells in respect to age suggests that AMH may be involved in follicular aging process
The final phase of ovarian follicular development is a complex process occurring within a characteristic hormonal microenvironment of the follicular fluid
Since the possible relationship between intrafollicular AMH within an individual preovulatory follicle and patient age has not been determined, in the present study we aim to investigate AMH level in the follicular fluid (FF) and mRNA expression pattern in cumulus and mural GCs of human ovarian follicles in relation to age
Summary
The final phase of ovarian follicular development is a complex process occurring within a characteristic hormonal microenvironment of the follicular fluid. The role of AMH as an important regulator of mammalian follicular development has recently been described [2,3]. In females AMH is produced exclusively by granulosa cells (GCs) of ovarian follicles [4]. It is Ovarian aging is characterized by gradual decrease in oocyte quality and quantity. It is widely accepted that apoptosis is the driving force behind follicle loss with ageing [11] a condition suggesting the occurrence of specific age-related alterations in the oocyte and granulosa cells. Serum AMH is declining with age and is highly associated with ovarian follicular reserve and disordered folliculogenesis. The precise role of AMH in the process of human follicular aging has still to be determined
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