Messenger RNA expression profiles of the MT-MMPs in human and macaque ovarian cells during the periovulatory period in vivo. Human granulosa and theca cells were collected from women undergoing elective surgery for tubal sterilization at different stages of the periovulatory period. The mRNA expression profiles of MMP14 (A), MMP16 (B), and MMP25 (C) as determined by real-time RT-PCR in the granulosa (open bars) and theca (closed bars) cells are shown. Macaque granulosa cells were obtained 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after hCG administration from monkeys undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation and analyzed for MMP14 (D) and MMP16 (E). Relative levels of mRNA were normalized to GAPDH or L32 (for analysis of human or macaque samples, respectively) in each sample and expressed as the fold-change relative to the preovulatory stage or 0 h. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM (n = 3–4 per time point) of the fold-change in mRNA levels, and different superscripts indicate significant changes (P < 0.05) in mRNA levels.