Objective: To evaluate concentration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in serum and follicular fluid (FF) at the time of oocyte retrieval and to detect expression of G-CSF and its receptor by luteinized granulosa cells (GCs).
Design: Collection of serum and FF at the time of oocyte retrieval.
Setting: A university IVF-ICSI program.
Patient(s): Serum and FF were obtained from 82 women undergoing oocyte retrieval.
Intervention(s): Serum and FF were obtained from 82 women. Granulosa cells were pooled from 15 patients (three experiments with five patients each; 3-14 oocytes each).
Main outcome measure(s): Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor concentration was determined by ELISA, the expression of G-CSF, and its receptor by the immunocytochemical technique and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. Additionally, G-CSF expression was investigated by cell culture time course studies.
Result(s): The median G-CSF level in FF (117.98 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in serum (67.5 pg/mL). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and its receptor were expressed by GCs.
Conclusion(s): The significantly higher level of G-CSF in FF than in serum and the expression of G-CSF and its receptor in FF by GCs suggest an important role for this growth factor in ovarian function.