OBJECTIVE: To evaluate follicular fluid (FF) levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A ( @entity15714 ) in relation to levels of intrafollicular hormones. Furthermore, immunostaining of @entity1 follicles of varying diameters was studied for @entity15714 , antim  llerian hormone ( @entity248 ), and aromatase, and the biological activity of @entity15714 in FF was evaluated. DESIGN: Laboratory investigation. SETTING: University hospital. @entity1 (S): A total of 43 @entity1 with a total of 80 samples were obtained from three different size-groups of antral follicles collected before and after the LH surge. INTERVENTION(S): ELISA measurement of @entity230 , @entity15714 , and @entity248 , immunohistochemistry of @entity15714 , @entity248 , and aromatase on follicles of different diameter, and proteolytic activity of @entity15714 toward insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein 4 ( @entity12561 ). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Association between FF levels of @entity15714 and measured ovarian hormones, @entity15714 activity in FF, localization of @entity15714 , @entity248 , and aromatase in antral follicles. RESULT(S): A highly significant association between FF levels of @entity15714 and all measured hormones were obtained with positive associations toward E2 and P, whereas @entity248 , T, and A showed strong negative associations. @entity15714 proteolytic activity toward @entity12561 was detected in @entity1 FF. @entity15714 immunostaining shifted from being primarily present in theca cells of small antral follicles to being expressed in granulosa cells (GCs) of preovulatory follicles. In contrast, @entity248 expression became reduced with increasing follicular diameter. Aromatase expression was highly specifically localized to GCs of preovulatory follicles. CONCLUSION(S): The results suggest that @entity15714 is specifically involved in the regulation of steroidogenesis in @entity1 antral follicles. Local regulation of @entity5100 activity may represent a mechanism by which @entity15714 exerts this function and highlights the importance of IGF signaling during follicular development.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in XXXX ovarian follicles and its association with intrafollicular hormone levels.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'human', 'PATIENT'] @entity248 :: ('268', 'Gene') :: ['AMH'] @entity12561 :: ('3487', 'Gene') :: ['IGFBP-4'] @entity5100 :: ('3481', 'Gene') :: ['IGF-II'] @entity15714 :: ('5069', 'Gene') :: ['PAPP-A'] @entity230 :: ('MESH:D013256', 'Chemical') :: ['steroids']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['human']
