Intrafollicular cortisol levels inversely correlate with cumulus cell lipid content as a possible energy source during oocyte meiotic resumption in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization

Abstract

To determine whether follicular fluid (FF) cortisol levels affect cumulus cell (CC) lipid content during oocyte meiotic resumption, and whether CCs express genes for glucocorticoid action. Prospective cohort study. Academic medical center. Thirty-seven nonobese women underwent ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). At oocyte retrieval, FF was aspirated from the first follicle (>16 mm in size) of each ovary and pooled CCs were collected. Follicular fluid cortisol and cortisone analysis was performed with the use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. CCs were stained with lipid fluorescent dye Bodipy FL C16 to determine lipid content with the use of confocal microscopy. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CC gene expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) types 1 and 2, glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). Adjusting for maternal age, FF cortisol levels negatively correlated with CC lipid content and positively correlated with numbers of total and mature oocytes. CCs expressed genes for 11β-HSD type 1 as the predominant 11β-HSD isoform, NR3C1, LPL, and HSL. FF cortisol levels may regulate CC lipolysis during oocyte meiotic resumption and affect oocyte quality during IVF.