Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

A Modified Co-Culture System for Understanding Granulosa-Theca Cell Interactions in the Bovine Ovary
Published on: September 19, 2025
Does granulosa cell apoptosis have a role in the etiology of unexplained infertility?
Mehmet Idil1, Ismail Cepni, Gülten Demirsoy
1Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, IVF-ET Unit, Istanbul University, Vefa bayiri sok No 6, Daire 28, Gayrettepe, Istanbul, Turkey.
Objective(S):
To compare granulosa cell apoptosis in patients with unexplained infertility and tubal factor. Accelerated granulosa cell apoptosis may be the cause of unexplained infertility.
Study Design:
Setting was IVF-ET Unit of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University. GnRH analogs and gonadotropins were used for ovulation induction in patients with unexplained infertility (n=15) and tubal factor (n=15) undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) procedures. Following HCG injection and follicular aspiration, apoptosis of granulosa cells was assessed using the in situ DNA nick end labelling method and apoptosis rate was further determined by flow cytometry. Apoptosis rates were compared between two groups. Mann-Whitney's U-test and Student's t-test were used for statistics.
Results:
Apoptosis rate was significantly higher in the unexplained infertility group (33.20 +/- 35.62% versus 10.10 +/- 17.23%).
Conclusion(S):
Granulosa cell apoptosis seems to have a role in the etiology of unexplained infertility.
Related Concept Videos
Oogenesis
Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Folliculogenesis
Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Nondisjunction
Infertility in Males

