Effects of Aging on Ovarian Fecundity in Terms of the Incidence of Apoptotic Granulosa Cells

摘要

>Purpose: The objective was to determine the effects of women'sage on the ovarian fecundity as assessed by the incidenceof apoptotic granulosa cells.>Methods: Twenty-eight normo-ovulatory women underwentovulation induction for standard IVF. The husbands of thesewomen showed severe male infertility factors. The womenwere divided into four groups according to their ages. Womenunderwent follicle aspiration after the administration ofhuman menopausal gonadotropin plus human chorionicgonadotropin. The nuclei of granulosa cells were examinedby using fluorescence microscopy, and the incidence of apoptotic granulosa cells was tabulated.>Results: Granulosa cells in the older women revealed asignificant increase in the number of apoptotic cells. Thenumber of total oocytes and the number of mature oocytesobtained significantly decreased with age. However, endometrial thickness and follicular estradiol, progesterone, andfree testosterone levels were not significantly different amongfour different age groups.>Conclusions: Age increases apoptotic changes in granulosacells and consequently decreases the ovarian fecundity.