Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the apoptosis percentage of human luteinized granulosa cells (GC) and the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in follicular fluid (FF).
Methods: GC were isolated from FF of 12 women undergoing 12 IVF cycles: six were HCV+ with active viral replication and six HCV- serving as controls. No male partner was HCV+. HCV detection and quantification were assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in serum, FF and embryo-incubation medium. GC were analysed by flow cytometry after propidium iodide staining to measure the percentages of apoptotic GC. Routine IVF parameters were tabulated.
Results: Mean +/- standard deviation (SD) serum and FF HCV viral loads were 3.58 +/- 4.25 x 10(6) and 0.14 +/- 0.10 x 10(6) IU/ml respectively. Mean percentages of apoptotic GC from HCV+ and HCV- women were 3.08 +/- 1.14 and 3.14 +/- 1.40% respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between these two groups concerning GC apoptosis and when we compared all IVF parameters. No HCV RNA was detected in embryo incubation media after 2 days of culture.
Conclusions: Comparing GC apoptosis percentages and usual IVF parameters in the HCV+ group versus the HCV- group, our preliminary study shows that active chronic HCV infection does not affect follicle development and IVF outcome in HCV+ women undergoing IVF. Furthermore, the risk of newborns becoming HCV-infected might not be increased by assisted reproductive technologies when performed in couples in which women are HCV+ and men HCV-.