High concentrations of lactoferrin in the follicular fluid correlate with embryo quality during in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the level of lactoferrin (LF) in follicular fluid (FF), as well as the correlation between the LF concentration of FF, fertilization rate, and embryo quality.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
In vitro fertilization program at the Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.


METHODS
Follicular fluid was obtained from 35 IVF patients, aged 25-34 years.


METHODS
In total, 70 FF and serum samples were collected at the time of oocyte harvesting (44 of the oocytes were fertilized, and 26 were not). The LF concentration in FF was assayed via ELISA.


RESULTS
The mean LF concentration in FF of the fertilized group (500.2 +/- 35.5 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that in the unfertilized group (379.7 +/- 45.1 ng/mL). A positive correlation between follicular size and LF concentration was not found (r = 0.214). However, a high LF concentration in FF was indicative of good embryo quality.


CONCLUSIONS
High LF concentrations in FF correlate with both a high fertilization rate and good embryo quality.
Yanaihara
Atsushi
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan. atsushi-y@med.showa-u.ac.jp <atsushi-y@med.showa-u.ac.jp>
Mitsukawa
Kaori
K
Iwasaki
Shinji
S
Otsuki
Katsufumi
K
Kawamura
Toshihiro
T
Okai
Takashi
T
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
D015415:Biomarkers; D007781:Lactoferrin