Oxidative stress markers in follicular fluid (FF) and assisted reproduction outcomes in patients with infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or to tubal and/or male factor

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress (OS) is related with worse oocyte quality in PCOS patients, but little is known about follicular environment and assisted reproduction outcomes. The objective was to compare OS markers in the follicular fluid (FF) of non-obese infertile PCOS women and non-obese ovulatory patients with infertility due to tubal and/or male factor (control) submitted to ovarian stimulation (COS) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We also compared ovarian stimulation response and ICSI results. DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 16 cycles of 15 PCOS patients and 66 cycles of 57 infertile patients due to tubal and/or male factor submitted to COS for ICSI. FF was aspirated from 13 PCOS patients and 40 controls. Malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides, advanced oxidation protein products, glutathione and vitamin E were determined by absorbance and high performance liquid chromatography. The ovarian stimulation response and ICSI results were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: No significant differences in OS markers levels in FF and ICSI outcomes were observed between the groups (Table 1).Table 1FF levels of OS markers and ICSI outcomes from infertile PCOS and controls.ResultsPCOSControlPMDA (μmol/g pt)23,0 ± 6,321,0 ± 4,40,09AOPP (μmol/L)112,1 ± 59,7107,3 ± 38,90,84FOX (μmol/g pt)5,4 ± 0,45,8 ± 0,70,15GSH (nmol/L)279,1 ± 59,7265,5 ± 71,00,27Vitamin E (μmol/L)8,5 ± 4,68,6 ± 2,80,71Number of produced embryos2,6 ± 1,43,1 ± 1,10,23Clinical Pregnancy rate (%)31,2 (5/16)24,2 (16/66)0,54MDA:Malondialdehyde, FOX:hydroperoxides, AOPP:advanced oxidation protein products, GSH:glutathione. Open table in a new tab MDA:Malondialdehyde, FOX:hydroperoxides, AOPP:advanced oxidation protein products, GSH:glutathione. CONCLUSION: The present study didn't demonstrate OS in FF or worse ICSI outcomes in non-obese, oligomenorrheic, and infertile PCOS women compared to infertile ovulatory controls submitted to controlled ovarian stimulation for ICSI.