title: Cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine, is detectable in follicular fluids of passive smokers in in vitro fertilization therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, in follicular fluids (FF) of women who smoke either actively or passively or not all.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infertile patients in a hospital IVF-ET program.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eleven women classified by smoking habits: active smokers (n = 44), passive smokers (n = 17), or nonsmokers (n = 50).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovarian hyperstimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cotinine levels in FF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A strong correlation between number of cigarettes smoked and levels of FF cotinine was found. The levels of FF cotinine were: active smokers 710.4 +/- 128.2, passive smokers 76.3 +/- 56.5, and nonsmokers 4.2 +/- 2.0 ng/mL (mean +/- SEM). The level in active smokers was significantly greater than in other groups. The levels of FF cotinine in passive smokers differed significantly from nonsmokers. Eighty-four percent of nonsmokers actually were exposed to nicotine, with a mean value of 5.0 ng/mL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cotinine was detectable in a dose-dependent manner in active and passive smokers. It was detected in all active smokers and in a majority of passive smokers and self-reported nonsmokers. A strong interindividual variation suggests differences in metabolism and smoking habits. Follicular fluid cotinine assessments are useful for infertility studies.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Zenzes
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003367:Cotinine / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D003367:Cotinine