title: Intrafollicular concentration of adrenomedullin is associated with IVF outcome.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Center for Scientific Research, San Pietro Hospital Fatebenefratelli, Rome, Italy. emanuelamarinoni@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marinoni
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Feliciani
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muzzonigro
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Letizia
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tranquilli
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tranquilli
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aragona
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscarini
authors.forename: Romolo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Iorio
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D053607:Adrenomedullin