C-reactive protein levels in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF cycle.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to determine serum and follicular fluid C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for IVF-embryo transfer cycle, and their possible correlation to COH variables.


METHODS
The subjects were 16 consecutive patients undergoing our routine IVF long GnRH agonist protocol. Blood was drawn three times during the COH cycle: (i) the day on which adequate suppression was obtained (Day-S); (ii) the day of, or prior to HCG administration (Day-HCG); and (iii) the day of (and before) oocyte pick-up (Day-OPU). Levels of sex steroids and serum and follicular fluid CRP were compared among the three time points. Serum and follicular fluid CRP were measured with a commercial immunoturbidimetric assay.


RESULTS
Serum levels of CRP were significantly higher on Day-OPU and Day-HCG than on Day-S, and significantly higher on Day-OPU than on Day-HCG. No difference was observed between follicular and serum CRP levels on Day-OPU. No significant correlations were found between serum and follicular fluid CRP, or between serum CRP-to-BMI ratio and serum sex steroid levels or IVF treatment variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant increase in serum CRP levels during COH, especially after HCG administration, suggests that COH potentiates a state of systemic inflammation.
Orvieto
Raoul
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah Tiqva, Israel. orvieto@clalit.org.il
Chen
Roni
R
Ashkenazi
Jacob
J
Ben-Haroush
Avi
A
Ben-Harush
Avi
A
Bar
Jacob
J
Fisch
Benjamin
B
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein