Concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein-3 in the follicular fluid of women undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation with different gonadotropin preparations

• Published in: Gynecological endocrinology 2001-12, Vol.15 (6), p.413-420
• Main Authors: NARDO, L. G, BELLANCA, S. A, BURRELLO, N, LONGO, G, D'AGATA, R, NARDO, F, CALOGERO, A. E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Estradiol - blood; Female; Female genital diseases; Fertilization in Vitro; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - administration & dosage; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - urine; Follicular Fluid - chemistry; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 - analysis; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - analysis; Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Medical sciences; Oocytes - physiology; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Recombinant Proteins - administration & dosage; Tumors
• ISSN: 0951-3590; 1473-0766
• DOI: 10.1080/713602978

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) have an important regulatory role in follicular development and oocyte maturation. The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to measure the concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in follicular fluids collected from infertile women undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation using three different gonadotropin preparations. Twenty infertile women (mean age 33 years, range 28-40) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs were recruited. After a written informed consent, each woman randomly underwent a long-protocol for ovarian hyperstimulation using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-analog and one of the following recombinant- and urinary-gonadotropins--alpha-follitropin, beta-follitropin or urofollitropin. Serum 17 beta-estradiol (E2) levels and follicle growth were assessed during the follicular phase. The concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in the follicular fluid of aspirated dominant follicles were measured directly. Women treated with alpha-follitropin needed significantly lower doses of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) compared to those receiving beta-follitropin (p < 0.05). No other statistically significant differences were detected between groups. Serum E2 levels increased in the three groups from early to late follicular phase. Follicular fluid IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations did not differ significantly in the three groups of women. A statistically significant relationship was observed between follicular fluid IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels (r = 0.41, p = 0.001). Oocyte maturation correlated in a positive manner with IGF-I (r = 0.34, p = 0.01) and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.29, p = 0.03). These findings show that both recombinant- and urinary-gonadotropin preparations were equally effective in releasing IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in the follicular fluid of dominant follicles, and confirmed the role of these compounds on oocyte maturation.