Glutathione S-transferases in human ovarian follicular fluid

Objective: To study the levels of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 in human preovulatory ovarian follicular fluid (FF) and pooled granulosa and cumulus cells. Design: The relation of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 with P and 17 beta-E-2 concentrations were studied. Setting: The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Department of Gastroenterology, and the Laboratory of Endocrinology and Reproduction of the University Hospital Nijmegen in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Patient(s): Infertile women participating in an IVF program. Result(s): Detectable amounts of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 were found in ovarian FF and pooled cumulus and granulosa cells. Concentrations of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 were always much higher than those of glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1. Both ovarian FF concentrations of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 did not correlate with ovarian FF concentrations of 17 beta-E-2 and P. Conclusion(s): The high FF concentrations of glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 and especially of glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 suggest that these enzymes may play an important role in the detoxification processes in the follicles. The lack of correlation between follicular P and 17 beta-E-2 and glutathione S-transferase Alpha 1-1 and glutathione S-transferase Pi 1-1 indicates that both enzymes presumably are not present as a result of the high steroid levels. (C) 1997 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.