title: Tumour-associated antigens, CEA, CA 125 and SCC in serum and follicular fluid of stimulated and unstimulated cycles.
abstract: Serum and follicular fluid levels of CEA, CA 125 and SCC of women participating in an IVF program, in 42 cycles stimulated with GnRH-a and gonadotropins and in 26 unstimulated cycles triggered with HCG, were evaluated and compared with (a) steroid and gonadotropin levels, (b) the results of IVF, and (c) serum values in a control group of women with spontaneous normal ovulatory cycles. In the control group, serum antigens did not vary significantly during the 3 phases of the cycle. In stimulated cycles the median values in serum were 0.7 ng/ml (range, 0.0-2.1) for CEA, 14.0 U/ml (3.3-32.4) for CA 125 and 2.05 ng/ml (1.1-17.8) for SCC, whereas the median values in follicular fluid were 0.6 (0.0-27.9), 21.5 (0-670) and 21.4 (1-360), respectively. In unstimulated cycles the median values and ranges in serum were 0.9 (0.4-3.9), 12.1 (4.8-63.4) and 1.85 (0.7-4.4), respectively, whereas in follicular fluid they were 2.9 (0.4-180.7), 32 (1.7-600) and 231 (10.8-904). Different follicles of the same patients in stimulated cycles showed a wide divergence for all three antigens. In unstimulated cycles all three antigens in follicular fluid were strongly-correlated and a significant inverse correlation was observed between LH and both CA 125 and SCC in serum. In either group of cycles, no significant relationship was found between any serum or follicular fluid antigen and estradiol or testosterone, pregnancy rate, or oocyte quality and fertilization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Areteion University Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Phocas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarandakou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rizos
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dimitriadou
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mantzavinos
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Zourlas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D015843:Serpins
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen