Purpose The Fas-Fas Ligand interaction is one of the essential events for the induction of apoptosis whereas the exact role of their soluble forms in the reproductive system is still not fully understood. Also oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of infertility causing diseases in women and has been suggested as one of the important factors that negatively affect IVF outcome. In this study, our aim was to evaluate serum and follicular fluid levels of soluble Fas soluble Fas Ligand, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in patients undergoing IVF and compared with controls. Methods This study included 109 patients. Patients were classified as unexplained infertility (N=31), PCOS (N=19), tubal factor (N=9) and endometriosis (N=10) and compared with male factor infertility (N=40) that was the control group. sFas and sFasL levels were measured by immunoassay method. MDA, SOD and TAC levels were measured by colorimetric method. Results Patients with unexplained infertility, PCOS and tubal factor had significantly lower sFas levels compared with their controls (respectively, p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.05). However, SOD activity in unexplained infertility, PCOS and endometriosisgroupswere significantly higher than control group (p<0.01).Decreased follicular fluid TAC levels were found in all patient groups compared with controls (respectively, p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01).Patients with tubal factor had significantly higher serum sFasL (p<0.05), but lower follicular fluid sFasL levels (p<0.05) compared with unexplained infertility. Tubal factor and endometriosis groups had lowerfollicular fluid TAC levels compared to unexplained infertility and PCOSgroups (p<0.01). Conclusion(s) In this study, serum and follicular fluid sFas levels were decreased and antioxidant activity was impaired in infertility, possibly implying increased apoptosis. Especially in unexplained infertility group changes in this parametres more remarkable.

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ACE has a significant role in the angiogenesis of ovarian endothelium and the resumption of meiosis and folicular growth. However, there is no any study concerning ACE polymorphism and UI. The main aim of this study is that both identify ACE polymorphism and measure the serum ACE, AMH and INHB levels in UI patients and controls in Turkish population. 47 UI patients and 41 controls were involved in this study. To determine the ACE polymorphisms, DNA isolation and PCR were performed. Then, serum ACE, AMH and INHB levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Patients with UI had significantly higher serum INHB levels compared with controls (p &lt; 0.05). Serum ACE levels were decreased, compared to controls, however the decrease were not significant. Serum AMH levels did not significantly differ from controls. When the relationship were analyzed between ACE I/D polymorphism and infertility risk, and ID genotype were chosen as reference, it was found to be 2.33 times more risk of UI that the women have DD genotype (DD vs. ID: odds ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval (0,88-6,19); p = 0,086). This finding indicates that DD genotype may be high risk for UI. Further studies are warranted to confirm this finding, especially with a larger population.

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