Negative association of L-arginine methylation products with oocyte numbers.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of L-arginine and methylarginines in follicular fluid obtained from women participating in our IVF program and to find clinical correlates of these biochemical parameters.


METHODS
Follicular fluid was obtained from 108 women by ultrasonography guided transvaginal puncture following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Follicular fluid L-arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and monomethylarginine (MMA) concentrations were determined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The integrated index of arginine methylation (arg-MI) was calculated according to the formula: arg-MI = (ADMA + SDMA)/MMA.


RESULTS
There were significant inverse relationships between IVF embryo number and follicular fluid L-arginine (r = -0.507, P < 0.001), ADMA (r = -0.356, P < 0.024), SDMA (r = -0.347, P < 0.028), MMA (r = -0.449, P < 0.004) and to L-arginine/ADMA ratio (r = -0.328, P < 0.031). By contrast, arg-MI was directly related to IVF embryo number (r = 0.426, P < 0.006). Moreover, the number of IVF oocytes was also inversely related to ADMA (r = -0.202, P < 0.037) and MMA (r = -0.384, P < 0.012) and positively to arg-MI (r = 0.450, P < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
The elevated levels of follicular fluid l-arginine and methylarginines appear to have an adverse influence on the reproductive processes as reflected by a reduction in the number of oocytes and embryos conceived. In contrast, the integrated methylation index proved to be positively correlated to the above parameters of fertilization.
Bódis
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
Várnagy
A
A
Sulyok
E
E
Kovács
G L
GL
Martens-Lobenhoffer
J
J
Bode-Böger
S M
SM
D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000187:drug effects*; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods
C024917:symmetric dimethylarginine; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D001120:Arginine