Relationship between fertilization results after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and intrafollicular steroid, pituitary hormone and cytokine concentrations

Abstract

Previous studies relating hormone and cytokine concentrations in follicular fluid to oocyte fertilizability were flawed by the uncertainty about the actual oocyte maturity status at the time of recovery and by the possible contribution of the male factor to failures of conventional in-vitro fertilization. This is the first study in which oocyte maturity was assessed immediately after recovery and only mature oocytes were selected for treatment by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertilization outcomes were related to follicular fluid concentrations of 17beta-oestradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha). Those oocytes that subsequently showed normal fertilization were harvested from follicles with higher concentrations of progesterone, GH, PRL, IL-1 and TNF alpha as compared with those of oocytes that failed to fertilize. Among the normally fertilized oocytes, low GH concentrations were associated with the failure of cleavage and with poor morphology of cleaving embryos, whereas rapidly cleaving embryos developed from oocytes recovered from follicles with high concentrations of LH and IL-1. These data suggest important roles for GH, IL-1 and TNF alpha, and of residual LH after pituitary suppression, as positive regulators of the final phase of oocyte intrafollicular development.

Growth hormone co-treatment within a GnRH agonist long protocol in patients with poor ovarian response: a prospective, randomized, clinical trial

“…It has been shown previously that the ability of human oocytes to form morphologically normal and implantationcompetent embryos is related to the concentration of different hormones in follicular fluid [13]. Among the hormones studied, growth hormone (GH) showed the most consistent relationship with different parameters of embryo quality, and higher concentrations of GH in follicular fluid were associated with rapid cleavage, good cleaving embryo morphology and a high embryo implantation potential [16].…”

“…We may speculate that there were more follicles in the cohort rescued by midluteal GH administration and additionally there was more estradiol produced per follicle in the GH co-treatment group. As higher concentrations of estradiol in pre-ovulatory follicular fluid predict a higher chance of pregnancy [13], GH administration early in the recruitment phase appears to be a better method to be employed in poor responders. Additional stimulating effect of GH on the production of estradiol by granulosa cells has previously been shown [14,15].…”

Growth hormone: roles in female reproduction

“…Oocytes harvested from follicles with high antral fluid GH concentrations are more fertile than those from follicles with low GH concentrations, and amongst fertilized oocytes, intrafollicular GH concentration is inversely related to subsequent cleavage failures and morphological dysfunctions of the cleaved embryos (Mendoza et al 1999). In contrast, prolactin, LH, interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-are unrelated to the development of competent oocytes (Mendoza et al 1999).…”

“…Oocyte maturation An important role for GH in the development of the oocyte is indicated by the relationship between follicular GH concentrations and human oocyte maturity (Mendoza et al 1999). Oocytes harvested from follicles with high antral fluid GH concentrations are more fertile than those from follicles with low GH concentrations, and amongst fertilized oocytes, intrafollicular GH concentration is inversely related to subsequent cleavage failures and morphological dysfunctions of the cleaved embryos (Mendoza et al 1999).…”

“Serum and follicular LH, pregnancy prediction and assisted reproduction”

“…Follicular LH reflects the effects of exogenous gonadotropins on follicle and positively correlates with post fertilization oocyte development and with rate of embryo hatching. LH content in gonadotropins is desired for optimizing the follicular development and oocyte maturation [21,22]. Analyzed follicles in this research were chosen using ultrasonography examination and dimension determination greater than 16mm.…”