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DIGOXIN-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVE FACTOR(S) IN HUMAN GONADOTROPIN STIMULATED FOLLICULAR FLUID

Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology B Haifa, Israel.
Department of Medicine A and Clinical Pharmacology Unit Haifa, Israel.
Department of Endocrinology Institute Haifa, Israel.
Department of Rambam Medical Center Haifa, Israel.
Department of IVF Unit, Bnai Zion Medical Center (Rothschild) Haifa, Israel.
Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel.

Plasma digoxin-like immunoreactive factor(s) (DLIF) have been reported in various pathophysiological conditions associated with volume expansion and linked to the regulation of blood volume and pressure. We hypothesized that DLIF might be present in rapidly expanding gonadotropin-stimulated ovarian follicles. The mean total and free DLIF concentrations in the follicles (n=9) studied were 4925 nmol/L and 1885 nmol/L, respectively. These concentrations were substantially higher than the plasma total and free DLIF levels in these women: 1216 nmol/L and 158 nmol/L, respectively (p<0.0001). The plasma DLIF levels in the gonadotropin treated women were comparable to those in term pregnant women, which are known to be higher than those in non-pregnant women. The ovary thus may be a source of DLIF in the plasma of gonadotropin-treated women, and DLIF may have a role in ovarian follicular fluid homeostasis.

Received July 21, 1988.