Nitric oxide is associated with poor embryo quality and pregnancy outcome in in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between follicular and serum nitric oxide (NO) levels and embryo development and outcome in IVF.


METHODS
Prospective, case-control study.


METHODS
University hospital, tertiary medical center.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with tubal or peritoneal factor infertility and 18 female partners from couples with male factor infertility underwent controlled ovarian stimulation and IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).


METHODS
Controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval followed by IVF/ICSI and embryo culture.


METHODS
Degree of fragmentation of embryos and pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
Higher follicular NO levels were associated with advanced fragmentation of embryos. Follicular soluble Fas could not prevent embryo fragmentation. Higher serum NO levels were found among nonpregnant patients with tubal or peritoneal factor infertility. No elevated serum NO levels were found in the female partners from couples with male factor infertility.


CONCLUSIONS
Up-regulation of serum NO is associated with implantation failure in patients with tubal or peritoneal factor infertility.
Lee
Tsung-Hsien
TH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wu
Ming-Yih
MY
Chen
Mei-Jou
MJ
Chao
Kuang-Han
KH
Ho
Hong-Nerng
HN
Yang
Yu-Shih
YS
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
D009569:Nitric Oxide