-
Views
-
Cite
Cite
Sabina Lewicka, Cornelia von Hagens, Ute Hettinger, Klaus Grunwald, Paul Vecsei, Benno Runnebaum, Thomas Rabe, Cortisol and cortisone in human follicular fluid and serum and the outcome of IVF treatment, Human Reproduction, Volume 18, Issue 8, 1 August 2003, Pages 1613–1617, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deg352
- Share Icon Share
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The glucocorticoid status of ovarian follicular fluid has been linked to oocyte quality. The aim of this study was to examine whether the concentrations of cortisone and cortisol and their calculated ratios in the follicular fluid and serum samples are predictive of IVF outcome. METHODS: In the prospective study of 387 patients (420 treatment cycles) undergoing IVF treatment the concentrations of cortisone and cortisol were measured with specific assays, and their calculated ratios in the follicular fluid and serum samples obtained after ovarian stimulation and induced ovulation were determined. RESULTS: In 75 patients, treatment resulted in clinical pregnancy and was associated with significantly lower follicular cortisone (24 ± 12 versus 29 ± 16 nmol/l, P < 0.002) and higher cortisol/cortisone ratio (7.24 ± 2.22 versus 6.45 ± 2.17 nmol/l, P < 0.007). In addition, the ratios of serum cortisone and cortisol to follicular cortisone and cortisol were significantly higher in those women who became pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that the follicular fluid glucocorticoid concentration resulting from the conditions in the circulation and the course of the intrafollicular cortisol–cortisone interconversion appear to play a role in the outcome of IVF.