title: Beta-endorphin levels in the preovulatory follicles and the outcome of in vitro fertilization.
abstract: The level of immunoreactive beta-endorphin-like (IR-beta-EP) material(s) was determined in follicular fluid samples obtained from patients treated for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Follicles containing morphologically mature oocytes had slightly lower concentrations of IR-beta-EP. The total IR-beta-EP content was similar in follicles with oocytes at different degrees of maturity. A smaller amount of IR-beta-EP in the follicle fluid was associated with a greater developmental potential of the oocytes, which formed embryos that reached the three- to six-cell stage at 40-44 hr after insemination (r = -0.35, P less than 0.026). A higher IR-beta-EP content was seen in fluid samples containing oocytes that remained uncleaved after fertilization (P less than 0.05 by Duncan's multiple-range test).
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Mao
mesh_terms: D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002996:Clomiphene; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D008596:Menotropins