Immunoreactive endothelin-1 concentrations in follicular fluid of women with and without endometriosis undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the concentrations of immunoreactive (IR) endothelin-1 in human follicular fluid (FF) and whether IR-endothelin-1 levels are different in women with endometriosis-associated infertility.


METHODS
Follicular fluid and plasma samples, obtained from women with and without endometriosis undergoing IVF-ET, were collected at the time of oocyte aspiration and analyzed for IR-endothelin-1 levels.


METHODS
Infertility clinic in an academic research environment.


RESULTS
Overall, 90% of FF samples and 60% of plasma samples contained IR-endothelin-1 detectable above the threshold of assay sensitivity. Immunoreactive endothelin-1 levels (mean +/- SEM) in FF samples from women with and without endometriosis-associated infertility were 74 +/- 12 and 37 +/- 6 pg/mL, respectively. There was no difference in IR-endothelin-1 levels in FF samples between controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles with or without leuprolide acetate. No significant differences were detected in plasma IR-endothelin-1 levels in women with endometriosis-associated infertility when compared with those without.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate the presence of IR-endothelin-1 in human FF obtained at the time of oocyte aspiration for IVF-ET and higher levels of IR-endothelin-1 in FF of women with endometriosis-associated infertility.
Abaé
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida.
Glassberg
M
M
Majercik
M H
MH
Yoshida
H
H
Vestal
R
R
Puett
D
D
D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology
D016232:Endothelins