In vitro viability and secretory capacity of human luteinized granulosa cells after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist trigger of oocyte maturation.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate viability of luteinized granulosa cells obtained from patients triggered with either GnRH agonist or hCG and to assess the secretion of steroids and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by cultured luteinized granulosa cells in the presence or absence of hCG. DESIGN Prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING University-based fertility center. PATIENT(S) A subset of patients who underwent a randomized trial involving GnRH agonist trigger after GnRH antagonist protocol vs. hCG trigger after pituitary suppression with GnRH agonist protocol. INTERVENTION(S) In vitro fertilization cycles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Proportion of apoptosis; basal and hCG-induced secretion of E(2), P, and VEGF by luteinized granulosa cells; follicular-fluid VEGF and luteal-phase serum E(2), P, and plasma VEGF concentrations. RESULT(S) There were no differences in the proportion of granulosa/luteal cell apoptosis, follicular-fluid or luteal-phase plasma VEGF concentration, or basal culture media E(2), P, and VEGF concentrations between the two groups. Addition of hCG to the culture media significantly increased the P concentration in both groups, but there were no changes in E(2) or VEGF concentrations. Serum E(2) levels were lower at 5 and 9 days after GnRH agonist compared with hCG trigger. CONCLUSION(S) The granulosa/luteal cells obtained on the day of oocyte retrieval after GnRH agonist trigger are still viable and have the capacity to respond to hCG by increasing the secretion of steroids.