The serum level of C-reactive protein in patients undergoing GnRH agonist protocols for in vitro fertilization cycle

Abstract

Background: The synchronization of the uterus and mature eggs at the molecular level is the key factor in embryo transfer, and the regulation of synchronization depends on a variety of cytokines. C-reactive protein (CRP), as the first acute phase reaction protein, is involved in the entire process of embryo transfer. The study is designed to investigate the correlation among CRP, sex hormone, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle, and pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods: Ninety-two patients who accepted in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment cycles because of tubal factor were included in the study. Seventy treated cases were included to complete final analysis with the full set of results. Respectively on the second day of the menstruation (Day-2) in gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) short program treatment, on the morning in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment (Day-hCG) and the embryo transplant day (Day-ET), plasma CRP level was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlativity among CRP level, sex hormone, COH, and pregnancy outcome was analyzed by statistical methods. Results: In the short program GnRH-a of 70 cases, there was no relationship between serum CRP level and the infertility age, gonadotropin (Gn) dosage, number of oocytes retrieved, the number of normal fertilization, and sex hormone. In the short program of GnRH-a, the change of serum CRP levels in Day-2, Day-hCG, Day-ET: serum CRP in Day-2 Conclusion: CRP as a sensitive inflammatory marker, CRP ratio of Day-ET/ Day-hCG could be a predictor of treatment outcome by ROC curve analysis in COH program.