title: Serum Biopterin and Neopterin Levels as Predictors of Empty Follicles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study measured serum and follicular fluid (FF) levels of biopterin, neopterin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in patients receiving mild ovarian stimulation for oocyte retrieval.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infertile patients who underwent ovarian stimulation were divided into the following: Group 1, no oocyte retrieval (n = 12), and Group 2, retrieval of more than four oocytes (n = 13). Median total gonadotropin dose in both groups was 150 IU. Biopterin and neopterin levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. VEGF and M-CSF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to Group 2, serum and FF levels of neopterin and VEGF and serum levels of M-CSF were significantly increased, and serum and FF levels of biopterin were significantly decreased in Group 1 (P < 0.05 each).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biopterin and neopterin levels showed similar differences in FF and serum of patients with empty follicles. Decreased biopterin and increased neopterin in serum could predict poor oocyte retrieval.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamuro
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tachibana
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Misugi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ozaki
authors.affiliation: Fujino Ladies Clinic, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujino
authors.affiliation: Nakamura Ladies Clinic, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Nakamura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshihiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shintaku
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayasu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koyama
keywords: M-CSF; VEGF; biopterin; neopterin; ovarian folliculogenesis