- Email: [email protected]
Detection of differential gene expression profiles between in-vitro and in-vivo developed graafian follicles by DNA microarray.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 3:45 P.M. O-162 In PCOS estradiol secretion is dose-dependent and hypersensitive to the LH analog hCG. D. F. Rychlik, R. B. Barnes, E. J. Bieber, R. L. Rosenfield. Univ of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Objective: To determine if the LH analog, hCG, stimulates estradiol secretion in a dose-dependent fashion in normal and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: A randomized clinical study. Materials/Methods: We studied 24 mid-follicular phase normal women and 22 with PCOS, defined by oligo-ovulation and an elevated plasma free testosterone (T) not suppressed by dexamethasone (Dex). Subjects were randomized to 100, 500, 1,000, and 3,000 IU hCG. Dex was given throughout the study to suppress adrenal steroids. Estradiol and androstenedione (AD) levels were measured at zero and 24 hours after hCG administration. Differences between normal and PCOS dose-response slopes were determined by multiple linear regression for each steroid. Results: In normal women the estradiol dose-response slope was significant from 100 to 3000 IU of hCG (p ⫽ 0.015). The PCOS women demonstrated a significant estradiol dose-response between 100-1000 IU of hCG (p ⫽ ⬍0.001) and had a significantly steeper slope compared to normals (p ⫽ ⬍0.0001). Only PCOS subjects had a significant doseresponse of AD (p ⫽ 0.023).
on in vivo EGF-R expression in rat ovarian follicles during the estrous cycle. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled murine study, approved by the animal IRB, at an academic institution. Materials/Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were housed on a 12-hour light/12-hour dark schedule. Estrous cycles were monitored by vaginal smears. Animals were separated into two groups: rats in the study group were injected intraperitoneally with 10 IU PMSG in early proestrus followed by 10 IU hCG 56 hours after PMSG; rats in the control group were injected with 0.9% saline only. Three animals in each group were euthanized according to their vaginal smears at late proestrus, estrus and metestrus. The ovaries were cryopreserved. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a monoclonal anti-EGF-R antibody (Clone no. 29.1, mouse IgG) and a peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG, as the secondary antibody. A chromogenic reaction was developed by incubation with a solution of 3-Amino-9-ethylcarbazole for 15 minutes. All sections were counterstained with Mayer’s hematoxylin and evaluated by light microscopy. The intensity of EGF-R immunostaining in the ovarian follicles was assessed by using a computer-assisted image analysis and results were expressed as “pixels per area (ppa)”. Statistical analysis was done with the Wilcoxon test and ANOVA with post-hoc tests, where appropriate. P value of ⬍0.05 was considered significant. Results: In late proestrus, there was a weak EGF-R expression in the control group, while moderate staining was seen in the study group (P ⫽ 0.06). During estrus, EGF-R expression significantly increased in the control group (p ⬍ 0.05 vs proestrus), while it decreased in the PMSG stimulated group (P ⫽ NS vs proestrus). EGF-R staining was lower during estrus in the PMSG stimulated group when compared to that in the control group (p ⬍ 0.05). Following ovulation, during metestrus, EGF-R expression decreased in the control group, although not significantly (P ⫽ NS, vs estrus), and it increased in the study group (p ⬍ 0.05, vs estrus). However, the EGF-R staining during metestrus was comparable between control and study groups (P ⫽ NS). Conclusions: Exogenous gonadotropin administration to cycling rats significantly modulates EGF-R expression in ovarian follicles in vivo when compared to cycling controls. We postulate that changes in EGF-R expression in the granulosa and theca cells during gonadotropin stimulation may modulate ligand (EGF and TGFa) tissue effects during folliculogenesis. Supported By: University of Illinois Campus Research Board, Chicago, Illinois
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 4:15 P.M. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first evidence in humans of a dose-response of estradiol to the LH analog hCG. The PCOS ovary had a steeper estradiol dose-response curve and reached a maximum response at a lower hCG dose. This suggests that the normal ovary is less sensitive to hCG and to down-regulation by hCG compared to the PCOS ovary. There was a significant dose-response of AD only in PCOS women which suggests an alteration of thecal cell function. Possible causes of the estradiol doseresponse are 1) thecal cell secretion of estradiol precursors or factors that stimulate aromatase such as IGF-1, 2) direct thecal cell secretion of estradiol in response to hCG or, 3) granulosa cell LH receptors increase aromatase activity in response to hCG. Our findings indicate overproduction of estrogen in the PCOS ovary is in part caused by an increased sensitivity to stimulation by LH. Supported By: GCRC Grant—MO1 RR0055.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 4:00 P.M. O-163 Effect of exogenous gonadotropins on in vivo epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) expression in murine ovarian follicles throughout the estrous cycle. B. Scoccia, G. Uncu, K. Elter, J. V. Ilekis. Univ of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL. Objective: EGF-R is expressed in the murine ovary and ligand (EGF, TGFa) activation plays a role in normal folliculogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effect of ovulation induction with exogenous gonadotropins
FERTILITY & STERILITY威
O-164 Detection of differential gene expression profiles between in-vitro and in-vivo developed graafian follicles by DNA microarray. H. Liu, Z. He, Z. Rosenwaks. Ctr for Reproductive Medicine & Infertility, Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ, New York, NY. Objective: To study differential gene expression profiles of in-vitro and in-vivo developed Graafian follicles in order to identify essential factors involved in folliculogenesis. Design: A novel Dig-chem-link method was developed to label total mRNAs instead of reverse-transcribed cDNAs. After hybridization, gene expression in the in-vitro and in-vivo developed Graafian follicles were scanned and compared. Materials/Methods: Mechanically isolated preantral follicles (Group A) transformed into Graafian follicles after in-vitro culture with gonadotropins for 10 days (Group A) were compared with Graafian follicles which achieved a similar anatomic and developmental stages after 2 days of in-vivo PMSG stimulation (Group B). Total RNAs extracted from Graafian follicles of both groups were labeled with a novel Dig-chem-link method and then hybridized with Clontech Atlas威 mouse cDNA expression arrays. After hybridization, the labeled probes on the arrays were detected, scanned, and analyzed for comparison. Results: Of the 588 known studied genes, 62 and 84 were detected in both Group A (in-vitro) and Group B (in-vivo), respectively. Thirty-three were expressed in both groups, 29 were expressed only in Group A, and 51 were expressed only in Group B. When compared with Group A, more transcription activators (12 vs. 6), receptors (17 vs. 9), growth factors and cytokines (8 vs. 5), and kinase related proteins (10 vs. 3) were expressed in Group B.
S61
Of the 33 genes expressed in both groups, expression was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A. The mean and standard deviation of gene expression were 47.09 ⫾ 92.54 (ranging from 7.76 to 551.5) and 27.0 ⫾ 19.20 (ranging from 1.66 to 66.23) in Groups B and A, respectively. Ten of these 33 genes exhibited higher gene expression (e.g., HSP84, HSP86, 78 kDa, glucose-related proteins, follistatin) whereas 9 expressed significantly lower gene expression (e.g., BAG, BAK, Cathespin B, IGF-IA) in group B. Interestingly, many growth factors and receptors were expressed only in the in-vivo group (e.g., IGFBP2, IGFBP6, nerve growth factor , glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, LIF receptor, GM-CSF-receptor, TGF-receptor, interferon␥-receptor, integrin-1-receptor, and IGFII-receptor). On the other hand, some death-related apoptosis genes were expressed only in the in-vitro group (e.g., Caspase-11, defender against cell death I, DNA-damage-inducible protein 45). Conclusions: Culture environment appears to have a significant impact on cellular gene expression. Our results clearly suggest that many growth factors and their receptors were down-regulated and many death-related apoptosis genes were up-regulated under in-vitro maturation conditions. These findings may explain the prolonged in-vitro (10-12 days) growth period required for full maturation of preantral follicles compared to the shorter period (2 days) required for in-vivo development. The understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression in this experimental paradigm will provide future opportunities to develop in-vitro strategies for optimal follicular and oocyte development, thus providing an important in-vitro source of competent gametes.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 4:30 P.M. O-165 Arterial wall compliance in women with polycystic ovaries. K. Lakhani, A. Seifalian, P. J. Hardiman. Royal Free and Univ Coll Medical Sch, London, UK. Objective: To assess macrovascular function in women with polycystic ovaries. Design: Cross sectional study. Materials/Methods: The subjects were 15 asymptomatic women with polycystic ovaries (PCO),15 women with PCO and clinical or biochemical features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 15 control age matched controls. Artery wall motion was analysed using an ultrasound scan wall tracking system (Arterial Wall Track, Pie Medical System) with simultaneous measurement of brachial blood pressure, Diametrical compliance and stiffness index were determined for the left and right internal carotid arteries. Comparison between three groups was performed by One Way ANOVA, if significant followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test. Results: Internal carotid artery compliance was significantly decreased and the stiffness index increased in the women with PCOS and PCO than in the healthy controls. Arterial wall compliance in women with polycystic ovaries.
PCOS Compliance (% mmHg-1 ⫻ 10⫺2) Right Left Stiffness Index Right Left
PCO
Controls
p value PCOS v PCO v Controls Controls
that glycosylation of vascular collagen secondary to hyperglycaemia may be responsible.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 4:45 P.M. O-166 Acrogranin (epithelin/granulin precursor) expression is modulated by estradiol in the female mouse genital tract. C. Perez, L. Diaz-Cueto, J. Jun, G. Gerton. Ctr for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health (CRRWH), Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Univ of Pennsylvania Medical Ctr, Philadelphia, PA. Objective: Acrogranin, (also called Granulin/Epithelin Precursor, PC derived growth factor PCDGF) is a 67,000 Mr glycoprotein that has growth regulatory activities principally toward epithelial cells. To date Acrogranin has been shown to be expressed in many tissues as well as transformed cell lines. In preimplantation mouse embryos, acrogranin is expressed by trophectoderm (Diaz-Cueto et al. Devel Biol 2000;217:406 –18) and its transcript is found at highest levels in male and female genital tracts, suggesting acrogranin has an important role in reproductive function. Studies with function-blocking antibodies and purified protein indicate that acrogranin regulates the growth and development of preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro. Toward an understanding of the role of acrogranin in reproduction, we examined the cellular expression of acrogranin in reproductive tissues. Design: Prospective experimental laboratory study using a mouse model. Materials/Methods: The expression of acrogranin mRNA and protein in adult non-pregnant and pregnant female mouse genital tract tissues were examined using real time RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Experiments were also carried out to determine whether acrogranin expression is influenced by pubertal status, stage of the estrous cycle, early implantation period and following steroid hormone treatment after ovariectomized model. Results: Acrogranin was expressed mainly and strongly by endometrial epithelial cells and weakly in stromal, smooth muscle and oviductal epithelial cells. The intensity of this expression varied during prepuberty and throughout the estrous cycle. Acrogranin was present in reproductive tissues (oviduct, uterus) of prepuberal animals as early as 12 days old and in ovariectomized mice, conditions when ovarian steroid levels are almost absent. On the other hand, acrogranin mRNA and protein expression was enhanced when young animals reached sexual maturity and when ovariectomized were treated with estradiol. During the early implantation period, acrogranin expression appeared to decline in the stromal tissues except in those areas undergoing decidualization were this factor was strongly localized around the embryo implantation site. Conclusions: Acrogranin was expressed mainly in endometrial epithelial cells. Expression of acrogranin mRNA and protein occurred at a low level in prepubertal animals but increased following puberty and in response to estrogens, indicating that acrogranin expression is partially upregulated by estradiol. The intense and specific localization around the embryo during early implantation suggest that acrogranin has an important role in reproductive function. Supported By: This work was supported in part by National Institute of Health. Grant HDO6274 to G.L.G and the Fogarty International Center.
REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP 11.2 ⫾ 1.2 10.9 ⫾ 1.3 16.0 ⫾ 1.3 ⬍0.05 12.1 ⫾ 1.2 11.1 ⫾ 1.2 16.0 ⫾ 1.0 0.051
⬍0.05 ⬍0.05
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 2:00 P.M.
12.3 ⫾ 1.6 18.0 ⫾ 4.1 9.0 ⫾ 1.0 ⬍0.05 ⬍0.05 10.7 ⫾ 0.8 14.3 ⫾ 1.8 8.3 ⫾ 0.5 0.059* 0.059*
RISIG Prize Paper
* ANOVA.
O-167
Conclusions: This is the first demonstration of decreased arterial compliance wall in women with polycystic ovaries. As with other vascular and endocrine parameters, we found a trend of decreasing compliance from normal through PCO to PCOS. Whilst the mechanism responsible for the increased vascular stiffness in these women is not known, it is of interest that similar changes have been reported in diabetes raising the possibility
Reduced IL-1 production is associated with altered T helper 1(Th1)/ Th2 cytokine profile at the mRNA level in the decidua in unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Z. C. Wang, L. Xiao, D. J. Anderson, R. Osathanondh, J. A. Hill. Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hosp, Harvard Medical Sch, Boston, MA; Brigham and Women’s Hosp, Boston, MA.
S62
Abstracts
Vol. 76, No. 3, Suppl. 1, September 2001
on in vivo EGF-R expression in rat ovarian follicles during the estrous cycle. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled murine study, approved by the animal IRB, at an academic institution. Materials/Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were housed on a 12-hour light/12-hour dark schedule. Estrous cycles were monitored by vaginal smears. Animals were separated into two groups: rats in the study group were injected intraperitoneally with 10 IU PMSG in early proestrus followed by 10 IU hCG 56 hours after PMSG; rats in the control group were injected with 0.9% saline only. Three animals in each group were euthanized according to their vaginal smears at late proestrus, estrus and metestrus. The ovaries were cryopreserved. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a monoclonal anti-EGF-R antibody (Clone no. 29.1, mouse IgG) and a peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG, as the secondary antibody. A chromogenic reaction was developed by incubation with a solution of 3-Amino-9-ethylcarbazole for 15 minutes. All sections were counterstained with Mayer’s hematoxylin and evaluated by light microscopy. The intensity of EGF-R immunostaining in the ovarian follicles was assessed by using a computer-assisted image analysis and results were expressed as “pixels per area (ppa)”. Statistical analysis was done with the Wilcoxon test and ANOVA with post-hoc tests, where appropriate. P value of ⬍0.05 was considered significant. Results: In late proestrus, there was a weak EGF-R expression in the control group, while moderate staining was seen in the study group (P ⫽ 0.06). During estrus, EGF-R expression significantly increased in the control group (p ⬍ 0.05 vs proestrus), while it decreased in the PMSG stimulated group (P ⫽ NS vs proestrus). EGF-R staining was lower during estrus in the PMSG stimulated group when compared to that in the control group (p ⬍ 0.05). Following ovulation, during metestrus, EGF-R expression decreased in the control group, although not significantly (P ⫽ NS, vs estrus), and it increased in the study group (p ⬍ 0.05, vs estrus). However, the EGF-R staining during metestrus was comparable between control and study groups (P ⫽ NS). Conclusions: Exogenous gonadotropin administration to cycling rats significantly modulates EGF-R expression in ovarian follicles in vivo when compared to cycling controls. We postulate that changes in EGF-R expression in the granulosa and theca cells during gonadotropin stimulation may modulate ligand (EGF and TGFa) tissue effects during folliculogenesis. Supported By: University of Illinois Campus Research Board, Chicago, Illinois
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 4:15 P.M. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first evidence in humans of a dose-response of estradiol to the LH analog hCG. The PCOS ovary had a steeper estradiol dose-response curve and reached a maximum response at a lower hCG dose. This suggests that the normal ovary is less sensitive to hCG and to down-regulation by hCG compared to the PCOS ovary. There was a significant dose-response of AD only in PCOS women which suggests an alteration of thecal cell function. Possible causes of the estradiol doseresponse are 1) thecal cell secretion of estradiol precursors or factors that stimulate aromatase such as IGF-1, 2) direct thecal cell secretion of estradiol in response to hCG or, 3) granulosa cell LH receptors increase aromatase activity in response to hCG. Our findings indicate overproduction of estrogen in the PCOS ovary is in part caused by an increased sensitivity to stimulation by LH. Supported By: GCRC Grant—MO1 RR0055.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 4:00 P.M. O-163 Effect of exogenous gonadotropins on in vivo epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) expression in murine ovarian follicles throughout the estrous cycle. B. Scoccia, G. Uncu, K. Elter, J. V. Ilekis. Univ of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL. Objective: EGF-R is expressed in the murine ovary and ligand (EGF, TGFa) activation plays a role in normal folliculogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effect of ovulation induction with exogenous gonadotropins
FERTILITY & STERILITY威
O-164 Detection of differential gene expression profiles between in-vitro and in-vivo developed graafian follicles by DNA microarray. H. Liu, Z. He, Z. Rosenwaks. Ctr for Reproductive Medicine & Infertility, Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ, New York, NY. Objective: To study differential gene expression profiles of in-vitro and in-vivo developed Graafian follicles in order to identify essential factors involved in folliculogenesis. Design: A novel Dig-chem-link method was developed to label total mRNAs instead of reverse-transcribed cDNAs. After hybridization, gene expression in the in-vitro and in-vivo developed Graafian follicles were scanned and compared. Materials/Methods: Mechanically isolated preantral follicles (Group A) transformed into Graafian follicles after in-vitro culture with gonadotropins for 10 days (Group A) were compared with Graafian follicles which achieved a similar anatomic and developmental stages after 2 days of in-vivo PMSG stimulation (Group B). Total RNAs extracted from Graafian follicles of both groups were labeled with a novel Dig-chem-link method and then hybridized with Clontech Atlas威 mouse cDNA expression arrays. After hybridization, the labeled probes on the arrays were detected, scanned, and analyzed for comparison. Results: Of the 588 known studied genes, 62 and 84 were detected in both Group A (in-vitro) and Group B (in-vivo), respectively. Thirty-three were expressed in both groups, 29 were expressed only in Group A, and 51 were expressed only in Group B. When compared with Group A, more transcription activators (12 vs. 6), receptors (17 vs. 9), growth factors and cytokines (8 vs. 5), and kinase related proteins (10 vs. 3) were expressed in Group B.
S61
Of the 33 genes expressed in both groups, expression was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A. The mean and standard deviation of gene expression were 47.09 ⫾ 92.54 (ranging from 7.76 to 551.5) and 27.0 ⫾ 19.20 (ranging from 1.66 to 66.23) in Groups B and A, respectively. Ten of these 33 genes exhibited higher gene expression (e.g., HSP84, HSP86, 78 kDa, glucose-related proteins, follistatin) whereas 9 expressed significantly lower gene expression (e.g., BAG, BAK, Cathespin B, IGF-IA) in group B. Interestingly, many growth factors and receptors were expressed only in the in-vivo group (e.g., IGFBP2, IGFBP6, nerve growth factor , glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, LIF receptor, GM-CSF-receptor, TGF-receptor, interferon␥-receptor, integrin-1-receptor, and IGFII-receptor). On the other hand, some death-related apoptosis genes were expressed only in the in-vitro group (e.g., Caspase-11, defender against cell death I, DNA-damage-inducible protein 45). Conclusions: Culture environment appears to have a significant impact on cellular gene expression. Our results clearly suggest that many growth factors and their receptors were down-regulated and many death-related apoptosis genes were up-regulated under in-vitro maturation conditions. These findings may explain the prolonged in-vitro (10-12 days) growth period required for full maturation of preantral follicles compared to the shorter period (2 days) required for in-vivo development. The understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression in this experimental paradigm will provide future opportunities to develop in-vitro strategies for optimal follicular and oocyte development, thus providing an important in-vitro source of competent gametes.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 4:30 P.M. O-165 Arterial wall compliance in women with polycystic ovaries. K. Lakhani, A. Seifalian, P. J. Hardiman. Royal Free and Univ Coll Medical Sch, London, UK. Objective: To assess macrovascular function in women with polycystic ovaries. Design: Cross sectional study. Materials/Methods: The subjects were 15 asymptomatic women with polycystic ovaries (PCO),15 women with PCO and clinical or biochemical features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 15 control age matched controls. Artery wall motion was analysed using an ultrasound scan wall tracking system (Arterial Wall Track, Pie Medical System) with simultaneous measurement of brachial blood pressure, Diametrical compliance and stiffness index were determined for the left and right internal carotid arteries. Comparison between three groups was performed by One Way ANOVA, if significant followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test. Results: Internal carotid artery compliance was significantly decreased and the stiffness index increased in the women with PCOS and PCO than in the healthy controls. Arterial wall compliance in women with polycystic ovaries.
PCOS Compliance (% mmHg-1 ⫻ 10⫺2) Right Left Stiffness Index Right Left
PCO
Controls
p value PCOS v PCO v Controls Controls
that glycosylation of vascular collagen secondary to hyperglycaemia may be responsible.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 4:45 P.M. O-166 Acrogranin (epithelin/granulin precursor) expression is modulated by estradiol in the female mouse genital tract. C. Perez, L. Diaz-Cueto, J. Jun, G. Gerton. Ctr for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health (CRRWH), Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Univ of Pennsylvania Medical Ctr, Philadelphia, PA. Objective: Acrogranin, (also called Granulin/Epithelin Precursor, PC derived growth factor PCDGF) is a 67,000 Mr glycoprotein that has growth regulatory activities principally toward epithelial cells. To date Acrogranin has been shown to be expressed in many tissues as well as transformed cell lines. In preimplantation mouse embryos, acrogranin is expressed by trophectoderm (Diaz-Cueto et al. Devel Biol 2000;217:406 –18) and its transcript is found at highest levels in male and female genital tracts, suggesting acrogranin has an important role in reproductive function. Studies with function-blocking antibodies and purified protein indicate that acrogranin regulates the growth and development of preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro. Toward an understanding of the role of acrogranin in reproduction, we examined the cellular expression of acrogranin in reproductive tissues. Design: Prospective experimental laboratory study using a mouse model. Materials/Methods: The expression of acrogranin mRNA and protein in adult non-pregnant and pregnant female mouse genital tract tissues were examined using real time RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Experiments were also carried out to determine whether acrogranin expression is influenced by pubertal status, stage of the estrous cycle, early implantation period and following steroid hormone treatment after ovariectomized model. Results: Acrogranin was expressed mainly and strongly by endometrial epithelial cells and weakly in stromal, smooth muscle and oviductal epithelial cells. The intensity of this expression varied during prepuberty and throughout the estrous cycle. Acrogranin was present in reproductive tissues (oviduct, uterus) of prepuberal animals as early as 12 days old and in ovariectomized mice, conditions when ovarian steroid levels are almost absent. On the other hand, acrogranin mRNA and protein expression was enhanced when young animals reached sexual maturity and when ovariectomized were treated with estradiol. During the early implantation period, acrogranin expression appeared to decline in the stromal tissues except in those areas undergoing decidualization were this factor was strongly localized around the embryo implantation site. Conclusions: Acrogranin was expressed mainly in endometrial epithelial cells. Expression of acrogranin mRNA and protein occurred at a low level in prepubertal animals but increased following puberty and in response to estrogens, indicating that acrogranin expression is partially upregulated by estradiol. The intense and specific localization around the embryo during early implantation suggest that acrogranin has an important role in reproductive function. Supported By: This work was supported in part by National Institute of Health. Grant HDO6274 to G.L.G and the Fogarty International Center.
REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP 11.2 ⫾ 1.2 10.9 ⫾ 1.3 16.0 ⫾ 1.3 ⬍0.05 12.1 ⫾ 1.2 11.1 ⫾ 1.2 16.0 ⫾ 1.0 0.051
⬍0.05 ⬍0.05
Tuesday, October 23, 2001 2:00 P.M.
12.3 ⫾ 1.6 18.0 ⫾ 4.1 9.0 ⫾ 1.0 ⬍0.05 ⬍0.05 10.7 ⫾ 0.8 14.3 ⫾ 1.8 8.3 ⫾ 0.5 0.059* 0.059*
RISIG Prize Paper
* ANOVA.
O-167
Conclusions: This is the first demonstration of decreased arterial compliance wall in women with polycystic ovaries. As with other vascular and endocrine parameters, we found a trend of decreasing compliance from normal through PCO to PCOS. Whilst the mechanism responsible for the increased vascular stiffness in these women is not known, it is of interest that similar changes have been reported in diabetes raising the possibility
Reduced IL-1 production is associated with altered T helper 1(Th1)/ Th2 cytokine profile at the mRNA level in the decidua in unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Z. C. Wang, L. Xiao, D. J. Anderson, R. Osathanondh, J. A. Hill. Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hosp, Harvard Medical Sch, Boston, MA; Brigham and Women’s Hosp, Boston, MA.
S62
Abstracts
Vol. 76, No. 3, Suppl. 1, September 2001