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...