title: Viscosity and refractive index of follicular fluid in relation to in vitro fertilization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To set the standard values of follicular fluid viscosity and refractive index, and to investigate a possible relationship between these physiological parameters and the outcome of in vitro fertilization treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  128 samples of follicular fluid were collected from 40 in vitro fertilization patients. Viscosity determinations (centipoise; mean +/- SD) for shear rates of 23, 46, 115, and 230 were 2.04 +/- 0.86, 1.84 +/- 0.49, 1.48 +/- 0.27, and 1.38 +/- 0.22, respectively. The average (+/- SD) refractive index was 1.030 +/- 0.002. There was no significant difference between the values of thawed frozen fluids and fresh samples of the same specimens. The data showed no correlation between follicular fluid viscosity or refractive index and the presence of oocytes, their maturation grade or their fertilizing capacity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the first time, values of the viscosity and refractive index of follicular fluid obtained during in vitro fertilization have been determined. However, these preliminary results did not reveal any relationship between the physiological parameters examined and the outcome of in vitro fertilization treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fisch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amit
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaplan-Kraicer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mor
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tadir
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ovadia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merlob
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012031:Refractometry / Q000592:standards; D014783:Viscosity