Intrafollicular concentration of adrenomedullin is associated with IVF outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that serum or intrafollicular concentrations of adrenomedullin (AM) would correlate with reproductive outcomes in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles.


METHODS
Serum and follicular fluid samples were collected during transvaginal oocyte retrieval. The follicular fluid was individually aspirated, and the presence of oocyte was recorded. AM concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


METHODS
Department of Gynaecology, Perinatology and Child Health, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Italy.


METHODS
Eighty women undergoing IVF for primary infertility aged 18-45 years.


METHODS
AM concentrations in plasma and follicular fluid were correlated to follicular fluid volume, presence of oocyte, oocyte maturation, embryo grading, fertilisation and pregnancy rates, live-birth rate and plasma estrogen concentration.


RESULTS
Monofollicular fluid AM concentrations did not differ between follicles containing oocyte and those without oocyte; however, AM concentrations were lower in follicles that resulted in pregnancy than in those that failed. Serum but not follicular fluid AM concentrations correlated with serum estrogen levels. Follicular fluid AM correlated with plasma AM levels.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that higher level of AM in the follicular fluid appears to be associated with a negative outcome in IVF treatment.
Marinoni
Emanuela
E
Center for Scientific Research, San Pietro Hospital Fatebenefratelli, Rome, Italy. emanuelamarinoni@hotmail.com
Feliciani
Emanuela
E
Muzzonigro
Francesca
F
Letizia
Claudio
C
Tranquilli
Andrea
A
Tranquilli
Daniela
D
Aragona
Cesare
C
Moscarini
Massimo
M
Di Iorio
Romolo
R
D000293:Adolescent; D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D053607:Adrenomedullin