Association of Follicular Fluid Antioxidants Activity with Aging and In Vitro Fertilization Outcome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Health Education Research Department, lnfertility Research and Treatment Center, ACECR, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Fertility Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran

3 lnfertility Research and Treatment Center, ACECR, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Background: This research was aimed at assessing the relationship between the follicular fluid (FF) antioxidants
activity, aging and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome.
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 65 women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic
sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles due to unexplained infertility. Ovarian stimulation was performed using the
long gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol. After ovum pickup, FF was collected and processed
to measure the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and
glutathione (GSH). Day 3 after ICSI, fresh embryos were transferred and later, possible pregnancy was assessed.
Patients participating in this study were divided into four groups on the basis of age and pregnancy outcome.
Results: SOD activity was not significantly different between the groups (P=0.218). GSH in the group whose participants
were aged ≤35 years and were pregnant was higher than that in other groups. CAT activity in groups with
younger participants was higher compared to the other groups. The mean TAC was higher in groups with pregnant
participants compared to the non-pregnant women. Correlation analysis showed that: GSH level had a significant
negative correlation with age (P<0.001, R -0.55) and a significant positive correlation with pregnancy (P=0.015,
R=0.30). CAT level also had a significant negative correlation with age (P<0.001, R=-0.42) and the level of TAC had
a significant positive correlation with pregnancy (P<0.001, R=0.59).
Conclusion: According to our results, the levels of TAC, GSH and CAT in younger and pregnant women were higher
compared with those undergoing ICSI cycles. Given the correlation of FF antioxidant activity with age and pregnancy,
it is necessary to carry out more research on these compounds and the maintenance of pregnancy.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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International Journal of Fertility and Sterility
Volume 18, Issue 2
April 2024
Pages 115-122

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