The Graafian follicle is a site of L-ascorbate accumulation.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the L-ascorbate level in human preovulatory follicular fluid and to quantify the blood/follicle gradient for vitamin C. The effect of smoking on the follicular L-ascorbate concentration was studied. The correlations were tested between follicular L-ascorbate and follicle size and oocyte maturity.


METHODS
In 65 women undergoing in vitro fertilization, samples of follicular fluid and blood serum were collected. Biochemical analyses included L-ascorbate determinations by a colorimetric method and cotinine measurements by a radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
The average follicular fluid:serum ratio for L-ascorbate was 1:68. Ascorbate levels in follicular fluid and serum were significantly correlated. The follicular L-ascorbate level did not correlate with the follicle size and the oocyte maturity grade. Insignificantly lowered follicular L-ascorbate levels were observed in smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
The extracellular compartment of the Graafian follicle is a site of an ascorbate accumulation. Exposure to tobacco smoke does not significantly diminish the intrafollicular pool of L-ascorbate.
Paszkowski
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T
Department of Gynecology, University School of Medicine, Lublin, Poland.
Clarke
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RN
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D003367:Cotinine / Q000032:analysis; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D012907:Smoking