Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and their tissue inhibitors in the follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovaries undergoing in vitro fertilisation.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-2 and TIMP-1, respectively) in the follicular fluid of 39 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and compare them with the levels found in 56 age- and weight-matched normally ovulating women, all undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Significantly higher levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (p=0.02 and p<0.001, respectively) as well as TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 (p=0.006 and p<0.001, respectively) were found in the PCOS group compared to controls. Women who achieved pregnancy had higher TIMP-1 levels compared to the non-pregnant ones in the control group (p=0.01). In conclusion, women with PCOS exhibited significantly increased gelatinolytic activity compared with controls of similar age and body mass index, thus indicating a more intense extracellular matrix remodelling in this group of patients during IVF treatment due to multiple follicular development and cyst formation.