title: The role of enzymatic antioxidants detected in the follicular fluid and semen of infertile couples undergoing assisted reproduction.
abstract: The follicular fluid environment surrounding the oocytes may play a critical role in fertilization and subsequent embryo development. The goal of our study was to evaluate the oxidative stress markers in the semen, blood serum, and follicular fluid of couples undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Two hundred and eight infertile couples underwent ICSI and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were evaluated. Semen Catalase was highly correlated with fertilization and cleavage rates, but not with pregnancy rates. Fertilization and cleavage rates were correlated with the levels of SOD and Catalase in the follicular fluid. After adjusting for age, a negative correlation was detected between LPO levels in follicular fluid and pregnancy rates. Follicular fluid LPO levels may be a marker as a metabolic activity within the follicle need for establishing a pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: University of Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eleonora Bedin
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Pasqualotto
authors.forename: Luana Venturin
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Lara
authors.forename: Mirian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.forename: Bernardo Passos
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Sobreiro
authors.forename: Edson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Fábio Firmbach
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Pasqualotto
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase