Objective: Follicular fluid (FF) affects oocyte development and disruption of its homeostasis has a crucial effect on egg developmental potential. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of selected oxidative stress markers in the FF of women with impaired fertility and healthy fertile oocytes donors.
Design: A retrospective comparative study.
Setting: Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague; Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology, IVF Center Prof. Zech, Pilsen.
Methods: Levels of homocysteine (Hcy), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (AOK) and total protein (CB) were analyzed in the FF. We have analysed FF of 146 women - 74 infertile patients (mean age 31 years, SD = 4.65) and 72 healthy fertile oocyte donors (mean age 26 years, SD = 4.44). Only blood free samples were studied after pooling of all FF samples each patient.
Results: The study showed a statistically significantly higher Hcy levels (p < 0.0001) in the FF of healthy fertile women compared with impaired fertility group both - comparing the two groups regardless the age and in groups of the same age range (for the age group between 20 to 29 years isp = 0.0002, for the age group between 30 to 39 years is p < 0.0001). When divided into above age ranges we found statistically significantly higher levels of MDA in the control group aged 20 to 29 years compared to same age infertile patients (p = 0.0374) and statistically significantly higher AOK in infertile women between 30 to 39 years of age compared to same age control group (p = 0.0458).
Conclusion: The presence or on the contrary the absence of prooxidant parameters in the FF has an important role in the ability of conception and subsequent embryo development.