Work

Dose-dependent modulation of luteinizing hormone receptor expression in human granulosa cells and progesterone production during ovarian stimulation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of different recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH) dosages in ovarian stimulation (OS) on luteinizing hormone (LH)-receptor and FSH-receptor expression in granulosa cells (GCs) and progesterone level. DESIGN: Prospective interventional study (07/2023-02/2024). SUBJECTS: Six volunteers with regular cycles and normal ovarian reserve undergoing two OS cycles for oocyte vitrification as a means of elective fertility preservation. EXPOSURE: Different recFSH dosages (150 IU vs. 300 IU) in two OS cycles, performed in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone-antagonist protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The LH receptor expression on GCs. RESULTS: Volunteers had a median age of 34 years (range: 28-36), a median antimüllerian hormone-level of 2.28 ng/mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.41-3.35) and a median antral follicle count of 13.5 (IQR:12-14) in the 150 IU and 13 (12-15) in the 300 IU OS cycle. Median total recFSH dosages were 1650 IU (IQR: 1350-1800IU)/3150 IU (IQR: 3000-3300) in the 150 IU/300 IU OS cycle, respectively. The number of retrieved cumulus-oocyte-complexes was (median and IQR) 11.5 (10-14)/12.5 (7-15), the number of mature oocytes (median and IQR) of 10.5 (7-12)/10 (6-12), respectively, without a statistically significant difference. Besides the stimulation start, serum FSH levels of the 300 IU-cycle were significantly higher compared with the 150 IU-cycle. Estradiol levels were significantly higher in the 300 IU-group on day 5 and at follicle size of 14-16 mm. Progesterone (P4) levels were not statistically significantly different between the stimulation cycles. The LH receptor expression in the GCs at oocyte-pick up was significantly higher and FSH-receptor expression was significantly lower in the 300 IU-group compared with the 150 IU-group. The P4 levels on oocyte-pick up day were significantly associated with LH receptor levels after adjusting for the recFSH dose. Furthermore, a significant and independent association of the recFSH dose between the P4 levels and the LH receptor levels was seen on the day of oocyte retrieval. CONCLUSION: Higher recFSH dosages during OS are associated with increased LH receptor expression, and LH receptor count had a significant association with serum P4 levels.

Source: F&S Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2025.11.002