Urine cortisol concentration as a biomarker of stress is unrelated to IVF outcomes in women and men

Abstract

Purpose Our primary objective was to assess associations between urine cortisol as a biomarker of psychological stress and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. A secondary objective was to assess associations between toxic metals and cortisol. Methods Urine and blood specimens were collected from 52 women and 28 male partners completing a first IVF procedure, on the day of oocyte retrieval. Urine cortisol was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were determined in blood and Cd in urine by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.Results No associations were indicated for cortisol with IVF outcomes in multivariable regression models adjusted for covariates. However, we detected positive linear associations for cortisol and urine Cd (β=9.96, 95%CI 1.52, 21.44) and blood Hg (β=1.44, 95%CI 0.31, 3.18). An exploratory stratified analysis suggested a potential inverse association between urine cortisol and oocyte fertilization among women with low, but not high blood Hg. Conclusion While limited, these preliminary data suggest that psychological stress may not play a major role in IVF outcomes, which therefore could be one less concern for couples and their clinicians. Our data also raise the possibility for toxic metals to modify associations between cortisol and IVF outcomes among women. However, these preliminary results require corroboration in an experimental animal model and confirmation in a larger, more definitive observational study.

Evaluation of trace metals in follicular fluid in ICSI-treated patients

“…Compared with the 18-hour exposure, the 70-hour exposure induced a 20-fold higher toxic response with regard to developmental competence and a more 'cadmium-typical' transcript expression. The observed impediment to embryo development at higher concentrations of cadmium may be associated with the decreased reproductive potential demonstrated by Jorssen et al In the research carried out on human embryos by Butts et al, the authors detected significant associations between toxic metal levels (Hg, Cd) and cortisol, and also in evaluating the impact of these metals on associations between cortisol and IVF outcomes [32]. Their data also raise the possibility of toxic metals modifying the associations between cortisol and IVF outcomes among women.…”

Melatonin Protects Rabbit Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Embryos from Electrofusion Damage

“…Regarding the piezo microinjection method, researchers were concerned about the risk of mercury contamination during the injection using micropipettes 20 . The mercury vapor and mercury compounds are highly toxic, so the piezo method is very risky to operators and embryos 21,22 . And also, the electric or chemical activations were required immediately after the establishment of embryos 23 .…”

Pain during embryo transfer is independently associated with clinical pregnancy in fresh/frozen assisted reproductive technology cycles

“…With regards to methodology, only a subset of patients underwent all three psychological tests and sAA and salivary cortisol sampling, although the numbers were sufficient for statistical analysis ( n = 156). Furthermore, although the baseline psychological and biomarker testing was performed on the day of oocyte retrieval, similar to previously reported methodology, in retrospect, we believe that a serial measurement before and after ET may be more insightful. Finally, given that the present study did not include inflammatory/infective markers, future studies could assess concurrently for vaginal, cervical and endometrial signs of infection and inflammation in these patients.…”