Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a major role in critical biological processes in human reproduction. However, a reliable and biologically accurate indicator of this condition does not yet exist. On these bases, the aim of this study was to assess and compare the blood and follicular fluid (FF) redox status of 45 infertile subjects (and 45 age-matched controls) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), and explore possible relationships between the assessed redox parameters and IVF outcomes. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, assessed by flow cytometry analysis in blood leukocytes and granulosa cells, significantly increased (p < 0.05) in infertile patients. Also, oxidative stress markers—ThioBarbituric Acid-Reactive Substances (TBARS) as an index of lipid peroxidation, and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) to account for total antioxidant capacity, both assayed by fluorometric procedures—in blood and FF were significantly (p < 0.001) modified in infertile patients compared to the control group. Moreover, a significant correlation between blood redox markers and FF redox markers was evident. An ORAC/TBARS ratio, defined as the redox index (RI), was obtained in the plasma and FF of the patients and controls. In the patients, the plasma RI was about 3.4-fold (p < 0.0001) lower than the control, and the FF RI was about six-fold (p < 0.0001) lower than the control. Interestingly, both the plasma RI and FF RI results were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) to the considered outcome parameters (metaphase II, fertilization rate, and ongoing pregnancies). Given the reported findings, a strict monitoring of redox parameters in assisted reproductive techniques and infertility management is recommended.
Highlights
Oxidative stress is a condition caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production, and/or a decrease in antioxidant defense systems
Markers of oxidative stress both in blood and in follicular fluid (FF), and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production in leukocyte subpopulations from infertile patients were significantly increased compared to controls
As we previously reported [19], peripheral leukocytes represent a reliable model for studying the pathophysiology of oxidative stress-mediated homeostasis variations, which can be responsible for cell dysfunction and cell injury
Summary
Oxidative stress is a condition caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production, and/or a decrease in antioxidant defense systems. Several studies have reported signs of oxidative stress in serum and in the FF of infertile women [6,7,8], but data on the simultaneous presence of oxidative stress markers in blood ( plasma and leukocytes), FF, and granulosa cells are lacking. Such information would be useful for a better understanding of the ethiopathogenic mechanisms involved in infertility, due to the still debated role of oxidative stress in infertile patients. There does not yet exist a general consensus on the role of oxidative stress in the processes regulating fertilization and embryonic development, nor on the relationship between the redox parameters in blood and FF, and their effects on oocyte, embryo quality, and IVF outcomes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
