The levels of steroid hormones and cytokines in individual follicles are not associated with the fertilization outcome after intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Received 21 January 2007; received in revised form 23 May 2007; accepted 23 May 2007. published online 01 November 2007.
Objective
To investigate the association between the levels of two steroid hormones and eight cytokines in fluids from individual follicles and the fertilization outcome of the oocytes derived from the same follicles.
Design
Prospective study.
Setting
University hospital.
Patient(s)
Forty-three women participating in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)/ET cycles.
Intervention(s)
The ovarian stimulation followed the multidose GnRH antagonist protocol. ICSI was performed in mature oocytes. The concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor, leptin, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-I were measured by immunoassay methods in the follicles from which the mature oocytes were derived.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
The concentrations of the above hormones and cytokines in individual follicles and the fertilization outcome of the oocytes derived from the same follicles.
Result(s)
The intrafollicular concentrations of the above factors were not significantly associated with the fertilization outcome. These factors were not correlated with embryo quality, with the exception of leptin, which was weakly associated with embryo score (R = 0.276).
Conclusion(s)
The intrafollicular concentrations of the above factors cannot predict the fertilization outcome after ICSI.
aLaboratory of Physiology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
bDepartment of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University Clinic of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
cInstitute of Physiology, Medical University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
Reprint requests: Nikos Nikolettos, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Reproductive Physiology-IVF, Laboratory of Physiology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece-Hellas (FAX: 30-25510-30504).
ABSTRACT