Abstract:

Objective To investigate the characteristics of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of serum and follicular fluid in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Methods Patients (245 cycles) undergoing IVF were enrolled. Blood samples of early follicle phase and ovum retrieval day and follicular fluid of ovulation phase were collected, ROS and TAC were examined, and their relationship with clinical characteristics was analysed. Results Serum ROS on ovum retrieval day was significantly higher than that in early follicle phase [(77.5±62.3) cps vs (59.8±54.6) cps, P＜0.05], while there was no significant difference in TAC (P＞0.05). There was positive correlation between follicular ROS and serum ROS on ovum retrieval day, and between follicular TAC and serum TAC of early follicle phase and ovum retrieval day (P＜0.05). There was no correlation of follicular ROS and TAC with age, peak estradiol (E2), oocyte number, peak E2/oocyte number and fertilization rate. However, follicular ROS was positively related to body mass index (BMI)(r=0.29，P=0.04). Follicular ROS in patients with BMI＜19 kg/m² was significantly lower than those in patients with BMI 23-25 kg/m2 and those with BMI＞25 kg/m² (P＜0.05). Conclusion Serum ROS in ovulation phase is higher than that in early follicular phase, follicular ROS has a positive correlation with BMI.

Key words: reactive oxygen species, total antioxidant capacity, follicular fluid, in vitro fertilization