Relationship Between Follicular Fluid and Serum Levels of Vitamin C and Oocyte Morphology and Embryo Quality in Patients Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between follicular fluid (FF) and serum level of vitamin C and oocytes morphology and embryo quality in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted on 50 women undergoing IVF in Al-Zahra hospital in Rasht, Iran during 2014. Vitamin C level in FF and serum were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Retrieval oocyte morphology and obtained embryo quality were evaluated using inverted optical microscope. Results: In our study 434 oocytes and 199 embryos were assessed. Frequencies of metaphase II (MII) oocytes were significantly higher at 1-1.5 mg/dL level of vitamin C in FF (86.4%) and 0.5-1 mg/dL serum level of vitamin C (83.2%). Odds of having MII oocytes at the 1-1.5 mg/dL level of vitamin C in FF (odds ratio [OR] = 15.02, 95% CI = 2.77-81.54) was 15 times greater than the level of 1.5-2.3 mg/dL. The most frequency of embryo with Z1 or Z2 quality were observed at 0.1-0.5 mg/dL level of vitamin C in FF (69.3%) and 0.5-1 mg/dL level of vitamin C in serum (84.3%). odds of having embryo with Z1 or Z2 quality, at the 0.1-0.5 mg/dL level of vitamin C in FF (OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.21-7.83), was 3 times greater compared to the 1-2.3 mg/dL level. Conclusion: At the certain level of vitamin C in FF, clinicians may have oocytes with higher maturity and embryos with better quality.