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CC BY 4.0 · Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2018; 40(12): 763-770
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676037
Original Article
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Electrophysiological Responses to Different Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Isoforms on Human Cumulus Oophorus Cells: Preliminary Results

Respostas eletrofisiológicas a diferentes isoformas de FSH em células humanas do cumulus oophorus: resultados preliminares
Laura Silveira Ayres
1   Department of Physiology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
,
Adriana Bos-Mikich
1   Department of Physiology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
,
Nilo Frantz
2   Embriology Laboratory, Nilo Frantz Research and Human Reproduction Center, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
,
Letícia Schmidt Arruda
1   Department of Physiology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
,
Eloísa da Silveira Loss
1   Department of Physiology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

06 June 2018

02 October 2018

Publication Date:
07 December 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Objective The aim of the present study was to provide a better understanding of the specific action of two follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) isoforms (β-follitropin and sheep FSH) on the membrane potential of human cumulus cells.

Methods Electrophysiological data were associated with the characteristics of the patient, such as age and cause of infertility. The membrane potential of cumulus cells was recorded with borosilicate microelectrodes filled with KCl (3 M) with tip resistance of 15 to 25 MΩ. Sheep FSH and β-follitropin were topically administered onto the cells after stabilization of the resting potential for at least 5 minutes.

Results In cumulus cells, the mean resting membrane potential was - 34.02 ± 2.04 mV (n = 14). The mean membrane resistance was 16.5 ± 1.8 MΩ (n = 14). Sheep FSH (4 mUI/mL) and β-follitropin (4 mUI/mL) produced depolarization in the membrane potential 180 and 120 seconds after the administration of the hormone, respectively.

Conclusion Both FSH isoforms induced similar depolarization patterns, but β-follitropin presented a faster response. A better understanding of the differences of the effects of FSH isoforms on cell membrane potential shall contribute to improve the use of gonadotrophins in fertility treatments.

Resumo

Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi fornecer uma melhor compreensão da ação específica de duas isoformas de hormônio folículo estimulante (FSH, sigla em inglês) (β-folitropina e FSH ovino) no potencial de membrana de células do cumulus oophorus humanas.

Métodos Dados eletrofisiológicos foram associados às características da paciente, como idade e causa da infertilidade. O potencial de membrana das células do cumulus foi registrado com microeletrodos de borossilicato preenchidos com KCl (3 M) com uma resistência de 15 a 25 MΩ. O FSH ovino e a β-folitropina foram administrados topicamente nas células após a estabilização do potencial de repouso durante pelo menos 5 minutos.

Resultados Nas células do cumulus, o potencial médio de membrana em repouso foi de -34,02 ± 2,04 mV (n = 14). A resistência média da membrana foi de 16,5 ± 1,8 MΩ (n = 14). O FSH ovino (4 mUI/mL) e a β-folitropina (4 mUI/mL) produziram despolarização no potencial de membrana 180 e 120 segundos após a aplicação do hormônio, respectivamente.

Conclusão Ambas as isoformas de FSH induzem padrões de despolarização semelhantes, mas a β-folitropina apresentou uma resposta mais rápida. Uma melhor compreensão das diferenças dos efeitos das isoformas do FSH no potencial da membrana celular contribuirá para aprimorar o uso das gonadotrofinas no estímulo ovariano controlado e em protocolos de maturação oocitária in vitro.

Keywords

ovarian stimulation - endocrinology - ovarian follicles - cumulus cells - FSH

Palavras-chave

estimulação ovariana - endocrinologia - folículos ovarianos - células do cumulus - FSH

Contributors

Ayres L. S., Bos-Mikich A., Frantz N., Arruda L. S. and Loss E. S. declare to have contributed to the project conception, to the data analysis and interpretation, to the writing of the manuscript, to the relevant critical review of the intellectual content, and to the final approval of the version to be published.


 

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