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Increased Circulating MMP-2 Levels in Infertile Patients With Moderate and Severe Pelvic Endometriosis

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Abstract

The current study compares the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in the follicular fluid (FF) of infertile patients with and without endometriosis submitted to ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization and the levels of MMP-2 in the serum of the same patients. We also evaluated whether the severity of endometriosis can influence serum and/or FF concentration of these metalloproteinases. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 patients: stage I/II endometriosis (n = 10), stage III/IV endometriosis (n = 10), and control (infertility due to tubal and/or male factor; n = 10). Blood samples for the analysis of MMP-2 levels were obtained during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The FF samples for the analysis of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were obtained on the day of oocyte retrieval. The concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined by zymography. No intragroup or intergroup difference was observed in MMP-2 or MMP-9 levels in FF. Significantly higher MMP-2 levels were detected in the serum of infertile women with stage III/IV endometriosis compared to women with stage I/II endometriosis. In conclusion, no differences were observed in the follicular levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 between infertile patients with and without endometriosis. However, the levels of MMP-2 were significantly higher in the serum of infertile women with advanced stages of endometriosis. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that advanced pelvic endometriosis severity is related to higher serum MMP-2 levels but does not influence follicular MMP-2 or MMP-9 levels in periovulatory follicles obtained from stimulated cycles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Setor de Reprodução Humana, Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Helena Malvezzi MSc & Paula Andrea Navarro MD, PhD

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Valéria Gomes Aguiar PhD

  3. Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Claudia Cristina Paro de Paz PhD

  4. Departamento de Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    José Eduardo Tanus-Santos MD, PhD

  5. Departamento Materno-Infantil, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil

    Ivan Andrade de Araujo Penna MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Helena Malvezzi MSc
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  2. Valéria Gomes Aguiar PhD
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  3. Claudia Cristina Paro de Paz PhD
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  4. José Eduardo Tanus-Santos MD, PhD
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  5. Ivan Andrade de Araujo Penna MD, PhD
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  6. Paula Andrea Navarro MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paula Andrea Navarro MD, PhD.

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Malvezzi, H., Aguiar, V.G., Paz, C.C.P.d. et al. Increased Circulating MMP-2 Levels in Infertile Patients With Moderate and Severe Pelvic Endometriosis. Reprod. Sci. 20, 557–562 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719112459234

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719112459234

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