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Purpose: This study was designed to examine whether hyaluronicacid (HA) inhibits apoptosis in cumulus and muralgranulosa cells and to examine whether this effect of HAwas mediated through CD44.

Methods: Mural and cumulus granulosa cells were obtainedfrom in vitro fertilization patients. The cells were culturedwith various concentrations of HA or HA plus variousconcentrations of anti-CD44 antibody without serum supplement.After 24 hr of culture, the cells were fixed and stainedwith Hoechst 33258. One thousand granulosa cells of eachconditions were observed by fluorescence microscopy.

Results: HA inhibited apoptosis in both kinds of granulosacells, and anti-CD44 antibody prevented this effect of HA.Conclusions: The incidence of apoptotic granulosa cellswith fragmented condensed nuclei was reduced by HA viaCD44.