LH-Receptor Gene Expression in Human Granulosa and Cumulus Cells from Antral and Preovulatory Follicles

Context: Human granulosa cells (GC) acquire LH receptor (LHR) expression during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Currently, the precise follicular stage is unknown, and specific roles of LH in the follicular development are not fully understood. Objective: Our objective was to measure LHR gene expression on GC and cumulus cells (CC) from normal human follicles with diameters form 3–20 mm. Design, Setting, and Patients: At a university hospital, GC, CC, and the corresponding follicular fluid (FF) were collected from patients undergoing fertility preservation by having one ovary frozen and patients undergoing infertility treatment. Interventions: Cells and fluids were isolated from surgically excised ovaries or from aspirated preovulatory follicles. Main Outcome Measures: We evaluated gene expression of LHR, FSHR, androgen receptor (AR), aromatase (CYP19a1), and AMHR2 normalized to the GAPDH expression and associated with FF levels of anti-Mullerian hormone, inhibin-B, and steroids. Results: LHR...