The levels of hepatocyte growth factor in serum and follicular fluid and the expression of c-Met in granulosa cells in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective To evaluate the levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in follicular fluid (FF) and the expression of c-Met in granulosa cells (GCs) with respect to the quality of the oocyte and embryo both in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in the normal ovary during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles. Design Prospective controlled study. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) Fifty-nine women undergoing IVF treatment (of whom 21 had PCOS and 38 were in the control group). Intervention(s) A total of 168 FF samples were collected at the time of oocyte retrieval. The HGF levels were measured by ELISA, and the mRNA expression of c-Met in GCs was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Main Outcome Measure(s) The predictive values of HGF levels in serum and FF and the mRNA expression of c-Met in GCs for successful fertilization and oocyte-embryo quality. Result(s) The levels of HGF in serum and FF and the c-Met expression in GCs were similar between the PCOS and control groups. Granulosa cells of fertilized oocytes (2PN) had a significantly higher level of c-Met expression than that in oocytes that failed to fertilize. The mean HGF level in FF was significantly higher in the grade 1 embryos than in the grades 2–4 embryos. Conclusion(s) This study suggests that HGF/c-Met signaling may be a crucial determinant of fertilization success.