Endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 is regulated separately in follicular and serum compartments of PCOS patients: a pilot study.

Abstract

The aim of our study is to detect endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 (ESM-1) levels in the serum and follicular fluids (FF) of patients undergoing IVF/ICSI for PCOS. The presence of ESM-1 traffic between the serum and follicular compartment was analyzed. A total of 50 patients, including 25 infertile patients diagnosed with PCOS according to the Revised Rotterdam criteria, and 25 patients in infertility follow-up for reasons other than PCOS, were included in the pilot study. Patients in the control group were required to have no clinical and laboratory findings of PCOS. Non-PCOS controls were selected from patients diagnosed with a male factor or unexplained infertility, and a homogeneous group was formed. Patients in PCOS and control groups were matched in terms of age and BMI. IVF/ICSI was started with antagonist protocol in both groups. Follicular fluids obtained on the day of egg collection were centrifuged, put into RNAlater, frozen, and stored until the day of analysis. Endothelial cell-specific Molecule 1 levels were measured in follicular fluid and serum samples of PCOS patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the Human ESM-1 kit. Serum ESM-1 levels of the PCOS group were significantly lower than FF-ESM1 levels (668.6±189.2 vs. 979.0±233.9 ng/L, p<0.02). FF-ESM1 levels of the control group were significantly higher than serum ESM1 levels (639.3±206.4 ng/L vs. 503.2±102.4 ng/L, p<0.01). Serum ESM1 levels of the PCOS group were significantly higher than the control group (668.6±189.2 ng/L vs. 503.2±102.4 ng/L, p<0.01). Similarly, FF-ESM1 levels of the PCOS group were significantly higher than the control group (979.0±233.9 ng/L vs. 639.3±206.4 ng/L, p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between serum and FF-ESM1 levels. A positive and significant correlation was found between FF-ESM1 and serum LH levels in PCOS (r=0.655, p<0.02). Similarly, a positive and significant correlation was found between FF-ESM1 and serum testosterone levels in PCOS (r=0.470, p<0.03). Moreover, a positive and significant correlation was detected between FF-ESM-1, AFC, MII, and total oocyte counts in PCOS. Serum and FF-ESM-1 are regulated independently of each other in PCOS patients. ESM-1 may play a role in ovulatory dysfunction due to PCOS.