Ovarian 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity is inversely related to the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship of ovarian 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD) activity to the outcome of IVF-ET and to establish whether 11 beta-HSD activities vary for a given patient between consecutive treatment cycles.


METHODS
Retrospective correlation analysis.


METHODS
Patients were treated and ovarian 11 beta-HSD activities were measured at independent fertility and biochemistry departments, respectively.


METHODS
Random series of 137 women undergoing a total of 172 treatment cycles for IVF-ET.


METHODS
Subcutaneous buserelin acetate plus IM hMG and hCG for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; blood samples were collected for plasma LH and steroid determinations.


METHODS
Presence or absence of detectable ovarian 11 beta-HSD activity, oocyte fertilization rates, and the identification of clinical pregnancies.


RESULTS
None of the 101 cycles associated with 11 beta-HSD positive granulosa-lutein cells resulted in clinical pregnancies, whereas the pregnancy rate for the 71 patients with undetectable ovarian 11 beta-HSD activity was 63.4% per cycle. The incidence of total fertilization failure was lower and the median oocyte fertilization rate was higher in cycles characterized by 11 beta-HSD-negative cells. Plasma concentrations of LH and E2 were higher in cycles yielding 11 beta-HSD-negative cells, whereas plasma P, patient age, and the number of oocytes retrieved did not relate to ovarian 11 beta-HSD activity. For the 35 patients studied in repeat cycles, ovarian 11 beta-HSD activities did not relate to those in the initial cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovarian 11 beta-HSD activity is associated with failure to conceive by IVF-ET. For a given patient, ovarian 11 beta-HSD activity varies between consecutive treatment cycles. Hence, ovarian 11 beta-HSD activities may predict the outcome of this assisted reproduction protocol independently in each treatment cycle.
Michael
A E
AE
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, University of London, United Kingdom.
Gregory
L
L
Piercy
E C
EC
Walker
S M
SM
Shaw
R W
RW
Cooke
B A
BA
D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D002064:Buserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010053:Ovary / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D002064:Buserelin