Effects of chocolate cyst fluid on endometrioma cell growth in culture

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chocolate cyst fluid on the proliferation of cultured human endometrioma cells and to assay the concentration of transforming growth factor-B-1 in this fluid. Design: Controlled in vitro study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York Health Science Center. Patient(s): Five women with ovarian endometriomas. Intervention(s): Endometrioma tissue and chocolate fluid from five different patients were entered in this study. Main Outcome Measure(s): Endometrioma cell proliferation in culture with and without chocolate cyst fluid. Result(s): Chocolate cyst fluid increased the proliferation of endometrioma cells compared with controls. Also, high concentrations of transforming growth factor-B-1 were found in cysts' fluid. Conclusions: Chocolate cyst fluid has a growth-enhancing effect on endometrioma cells. One promoting growth factor is transforming growth factor-B-1. (Fertil Steril(R) 1998; 170:827-30. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).