The water permeability channels aquaporins 1-4 are differentially expressed in granulosa and theca cells of the preovulatory follicle during precise stages of XXXX ovulation.

@entity1 @entity7060 @entity18810 @entity3261 @entity3951
CONTEXT: Changes in vascular permeability and expansion of the fluid-filled antrum are major events in the LH-induced ovulatory process. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to investigate the presence and expression levels of aquaporins (AQPs) in the granulosa and theca cell compartments of the follicle during defined phases of @entity1 ovulation. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a prospective experimental study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a university hospital. @entity1 : Twenty-eight @entity1 underwent laparoscopic sterilization and at the same time follicle retrieval at four periovulatory phases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: mRNA levels of @entity3261 -4 were measured in separated granulosa and theca cells from preovulatory phase, early ovulatory (EO) phase, late ovulatory phase, and postovulatory phase. Immunohistochemistry was done for @entity3261 -4 in intact @entity1 follicles. RESULTS: All four AQPs were expressed in both the theca and granulosa cells during ovulation. In granulosa cells, @entity3261 levels increased in the late ovulatory and postovulatory phases. Expression of @entity7060 -3 followed a similar pattern with a marked increase in the EO phase, whereas @entity3951 levels decreased from preovulatory to the EO phase. The presence of @entity3261 -4 in the @entity1 follicle was verified by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: The results show for the first time the presence of @entity3261 -4 in @entity1 follicles during ovulation. The marked early rise in expression of @entity7060 and @entity18810 suggests a role during the process leading to follicular rupture, and the late rise of @entity3261 suggests a role in corpus luteum formation.
