title: Follicular fluid contents as predictors of success of in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.
abstract: In order to establish criteria for selection of the best ova in in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) programes we have examined the follicular fluid (FF) levels of plasminogen activator (PA), collagenolytic activity, progesterone (P) and alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha 2M) and related them to the success of pregnancy. PA activity was similar in FF of pregnant and nonpregnant cycles, 13.8 +/- 3.9 mU/ml versus 14.6 +/- 2.9 (mean +/- SEM) respectively. By contrast, FF from pregnant cycles exhibited lower collagenolytic activity (49.6 +/- 3.9% versus 67.9 +/- 3.0; P less than 0.001). Likewise, in a semi-quantitative assay of alpha 2M, only 18.4% of the aspirates from pregnant cycles showed a precipitation line, whereas 76.8% of those from non-pregnant cycles were positive. Levels of P in aspirates from pregnant cycles were in the intermediate range, as compared with those from non-pregnant cycles (0.06-5.5 micrograms/ml versus 0.02-12.0 micrograms/ml). All these assays can be completed before ET and performed in IVF-ET programmes. In conclusion, it seems that a combination of follicular alpha 2M levels and collagenolytic activity, and to a lesser extent addition of P assay, may serve as good criteria for selecting the best embryos for establishment of pregnancy.
mesh_terms: D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000032:analysis; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000032:analysis*; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000032:analysis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D011374:Progesterone; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D003012:Microbial Collagenase