Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in ovarian follicles: Production by granulosa luteal cells and levels in follicular fluid

Objective: To determine the concentration of the soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in granulosa luteal cell-conditioned media and in follicular fluid (FF). Design: Granulosa cells and FF samples were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval for IVF. In 10 women, a total of 33 fluids were obtained from individual follicles, whereas in 70 women, the follicular aspirates were pooled. Setting: Clinica 'L. Mangiagalli' and Reproductive Center, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. Patient(s): Eighty women referred for IVF for tubal factor or male factor infertility. Intervention(s): Women underwent ovarian hyperstimulation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Soluble ICAM-1 was measured by an ELISA, and its levels were correlated with follicular size, the number of retrieved oocytes, and the number of follicles with a diameter of > 15 mm. Result(s): The concentration of soluble ICAM-1 in granulosa luteal cell-conditioned media was 17.8 ± 1.8 ng/5 x 10⁵ cells. Interleukin-1β can stimulate soluble ICAM-1 release in a dose-dependent manner. A significant pesitive correlation was demonstrated between levels of soluble ICAM-1 in pooled FF and the number of retrieved oocytes or the number of follicles with a diameter of > 15 min. Conclusion(s): Soluble ICAM-I can be released by granulosa luteal cells and can be detected in FF after ovarian hyperstimulation. Levels of soluble ICAM- 1 in FF correlate directly with some indices of ovarian function.