Our results suggest a positive correlation of HOMA-IR levels above a threshold level of 2.5 and a continuous positive correlation of free androgen (FAI) to total ovarian follicle count following COH in the non-PCOS patient.

Purpose There is increasing concern that environmental chemicals have a direct effect on fertility. Heavy metals such as mercury have been shown to affect various organ systems in humans including nervous system and skin, however they could also act as endocrine disrupting chemicals adversely affecting fertility. Metals such as zinc and selenium are essential micronutrients with diverse functions that may be important for reproductive outcomes. We measured mercury, zinc and selenium levels in the hair, a reliable reflection of long term environmental exposure and dietary status, to correlate with the outcome of ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Methods We analysed the hair of 30 subfertile women for mercury, zinc and selenium using inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Each woman underwent one cycle of IVF treatment. Correlation between the levels of these trace metals and treatment outcomes was investigated.Results Thirty women were recruited with mean (±SD) age of 32.7(4.4) years and BMI of 25.4(5.0)kg/m 2 . Hair mercury concentration showed a negative correlation with oocyte yield (p<0.05,βcoefficient 0.38) and follicle number (p=0.03,β coefficient0.19) after ovarian stimulation. Zinc and selenium levels in hair correlated positively with oocyte yield after ovarian stimulation (p<0.05,β coefficient0.15) and (p=0.03,β coefficient0.21) respectively. Selenium levels in hair correlated significantly with follicle number following stimulation (p=0.04, βcoefficient0.22). There was no correlation between mercury, zinc and selenium in hair and their corresponding serum levels. Conclusion These data suggest that mercury had a deleterious effect whilst there was a positive effect for zinc and selenium in the ovarian response to gonadotrophin therapy for IVF. Hair analysis offers a novel method of investigating the impact of long-term exposure to endocrine disruptors and nutritional status on reproductive outcomes. Keywords IVF . Heavy metals . Endocrine disruptorsSubfertility affects approximately 1 in 6 couples in the developed world [1], a prevalence that is likely to increase as more women delay childbirth to a later age [2]; approximately 28% of couples investigated for subfertility have a diagnosis of 'unexplained subfertility' [3]. Current treatment largely consists of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as IVF or IVF-ICSI, often regardless of the underlying cause. The average success rate of 25-30% for ART in Europe remains unchanged over recent years [4], prompting the search for additional factors which may influence fertility treatments and optimise success, and the identification of adverse factors such as endocrine disrupting chemicals.Capsule Mercury concentration in hair had a deleterious effect where as zinc and selenium had a beneficial effect in ovarian response to gonadotrophin therapy for IVF.

Summary. Background: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been widely used in clinical practise and their efficacy in reducing cardiovascular risk has been well described. Objectives:To investigate the effect of low doses of fluvastatin (nanomolar) on H 2 O 2 -induced cell damage and the underlying mechanism. Methods and results: Primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used, and the effects of fluvastatin on H 2 O 2 -induced apoptosis, necrosis, and proliferation were observed. H 2 O 2 at a concentration of 100 lM significantly induced apoptotic cell death after 24-h cell culture. Fluvastatin at low concentrations (10-100 nM) prevented H 2 O 2 -induced apoptosis, as determined by a DNA fragmentation assay and by cell counting with trypan blue and Hoechst 33342 nuclei staining. The protective effect of fluvastatin was mediated by the upregulation of Bcl-2 expression as probed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Using siRNA to knock down the expression of Bcl-2, the protective effect of fluvastatin was abolished. Fluvastatin had no direct effect on the H 2 O 2 -sensitive TRPM2 calcium channel. Conclusions: These results suggest that fluvastatin has a potent protective effect against H 2 O 2 -induced apoptosis via upregulation of Bcl-2 expression. The findings provide a new insight into the mechanism by which fluvastatin is able to modulate the influence of oxidative stress on vascular endothelial cells.

BackgroundThe free androgen index (FAI) calculated using total testosterone measured by immunoassay does not correlate with oocyte fertilization rates; however, there is considerable cross-reactivity for testosterone with other androgens by immunoassay that is not found using isotope dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS).AimsThis study was done to determine relationship between total testosterone and androstenedione measured by LC/MS/MS and fertilization rates.Study design49 infertile women without polycystic ovary syndrome were recruited preceding an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Serum testosterone and androstenedione were measured by LC/MS/MS and correlated with IVF parameters non-insulin resistant compared with insulin resistant (homeostatic model assessment >2.5) women.ResultsFor non-insulin resistant women, total testosterone FAI and androstenedione did not correlate with oocyte fertilization rates. In insulin-resistant women, there was a negative correlation between both testosterone and FAI and fertilization rates (r=−0.62, p<0.03) and r=−0.73, p=0.02, respectively). There was a positive correlation between androstenedione and fertilization rates (r=0.87, p<0.01).ConclusionFor insulin-resistant women, increases in testosterone and FAI were associated with reduced fertilization rates and androstenedione was associated with increased fertilization rates when measured by LC/MS/MS that should be considered to be the measurement method of choice.