Relationship between oxidative stress and clinical pregnancy in assisted reproductive technology treatment cycles.

Aydin, Yunus; Ozatik, Orhan; Hassa, Hikmet; Ulusoy, Dilek; Ogut, Serdal; Sahin, Fezan

Purpose: To examine the relationship between serum total oxidant (TOS) and antioxidant (TAS) levels and clinical pregnancy in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles. Methods: Prior to and after oocyte pick-up (OPU) and embryo transfer (ET), blood samples were collected from gynecologically normal females ( n = 70) who were enrolled for ART solely due to male factor infertility. TAS, TOS levels and oxidative stress indexes (OSI: TOS/TAS) in four phases of treatment cycle (pre and post OPU and ET) between clinically pregnant and non-pregnant patients were compared. Critical cut-off values of significantly different TAS, TOS levels and OSIes for clinical pregnancy were established. Results: The TAS levels in patients with clinical pregnancy were significantly higher in all of the four phases of the cycle. Post-OPU and pre-ET TOS levels were significantly higher in clinically pregnant patients. According to OSIes; only the pre-OPU OSI was significantly lower in clinically pregnant patients compared with non-pregnant ones. Moreover, the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) from the seven different significant measurements [1) pre-OPU OSI, 2) pre-OPU TAS, 3) post-OPU TAS, 4) pre-ET TAS, 5) post-ET TAS, 6) post-OPU TOS, 7) pre-ET TOS] was related to pre-OPU OSI. Conclusions: In ART cycles, women with a higher total antioxidant status prior to and after OPU and prior to and after ET have an increased probability of clinical pregnancy. Additionally; OSI before OPU was one of the most important determinants for clinical pregnancy, so the oxidant and antioxidant balance is as important as the antioxidant concentration alone.

OXIDATIVE stress; ANTIOXIDANTS; REPRODUCTIVE technology; MALE infertility; OVUM; PREGNANCY

Journal of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics, 2013, Vol 30, Issue 6, p765

1058-0468

Academic Journal

10.1007/s10815-013-0005-2