Abstract
PURPOSE: To study the correlation between the expression of integrin fractions and adhesion molecules on granulosa cells (GC) and follicular development. METHODS: GC and follicular fluid (FF) were obtained at oocyte retrieval for ICSI. Expression of adhesion molecules on GC was studied by flow cytometry. Statistics were evaluated using the Student t test and simple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: alpha5 integrin fraction was significantly (p < 0.01) higher, while alpha6 fraction and CD9 were significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) lower in GC from FF with metaphase II oocytes. A direct significant correlation was observed between FF progesterone and the alpha5 expression on GC (r = 0.54). In contrast, an inverse significant correlation was observed between FF progesterone level and the expression of alpha6 and CD9 (r = -0.40 and -0.41, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The expression pattern for integrin fractions and adhesion molecules may be of predictive value in assessing the state of differentiation of the human follicle.