Homocysteine concentrations in follicular fluid are associated with poor oocyte and embryo qualities in polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing assisted reproduction

Abstract

Concentrations of Hcy in follicular fluid on the dOPU may be a useful marker for fertilization rate, and oocyte and embryo quality in PCOS patients undergoing assisted reproduction.

Intraindividual variability of homocysteine and related thiols concentrations in follicular fluid

“…The presence of Hcy in follicular fluid was demonstrated already in 1993 [20]. More recently, new studies assessed the concentration of Hcy in follicular fluid [17,18] and our levels are a little lower than the published with mean ± SD value of 6.0 ± 0.9 μmol/l and median of 6.1 μmol/l in follicles without oocyte and 5.2 ± 0.8 μmol/l and median of 5.2 μmol/l in follicles containing the oocyte. It was also reported that low follicular fluid Hcy concentration is associated with a higher degree of the oocyte maturation [20] and that there is a significant association between follicular fluid Hcy levels and the grade of oocytes.…”

“…It was also reported that low follicular fluid Hcy concentration is associated with a higher degree of the oocyte maturation [20] and that there is a significant association between follicular fluid Hcy levels and the grade of oocytes. High follicular fluid Hcy levels are negatively correlated with oocyte fertilization and the quality of embryo, which indicates that follicular fluid Hcy may play an important role in the development of oocytes and fertilization [18]. Hcy is a well-known inhibitor of methylation reactions and this could explain why high Hcy levels negatively affect methylations and consequently the oocyte and embryo development.…”

“…Ovarian stimulation deranges blood and follicular fluid biomarkers of the Hcy pathway and affects the Hcy concentration in follicular fluid [15]. High ovarian follicular fluid Hcy and folate levels may have detrimental effect on follicular development [17], Hcy inhibits the methylations and has a negative effect on IVF outcome [18]. Elevated Hcy may also suppress the synthesis of estradiol and consequently influence the oocyte maturation and fertilization in women with polycystic ovary syndrome [17,18].…”

“…High ovarian follicular fluid Hcy and folate levels may have detrimental effect on follicular development [17], Hcy inhibits the methylations and has a negative effect on IVF outcome [18]. Elevated Hcy may also suppress the synthesis of estradiol and consequently influence the oocyte maturation and fertilization in women with polycystic ovary syndrome [17,18]. Because the cystathionine-beta-synthase is only poorly expressed or absent in the human oocyte [19], the remethylation pathway is the only alternative to remove Hcy.…”

Hyperhomocysteinemia and MTHFR gene 677 C>T polymorphism: questionable role in female infertility

“…14,15 Increased plasma and follicular homocysteine levels negatively correlate with oocyte maturation leading to a number of development defects of the oocyte that impede fertilization and/or the reproductive outcome in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing assisted reproduction. 16,17 Hence, this study was planned to evaluate serum homocysteine levels, prevalence of MTHFR polymorphism in infertile women and to evaluate the role of hyperhomocysteinemia and MTHFR 677 C>T mutation in female infertility.…”