Publication details
Homocysteine and thiols in plasma and follicular fluid during FSH ovarian stimulation
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Elevated plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for the development of many pathological states such as atherosclerosis, thromboembolic and neurodegenerative disorders, particularly neural tube defects and late pregnancy complications (pre-eclampsia, intrauterine grow retardation, pre-term birth and intrauterine fetal death and abruptio placentae). The metabolism of homocysteine is closely associated with related aminothiols – cysteine, cysteinylglycine and glutathione. The aim of the study was to measure and determine the concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), glutathione (GSH) in plasma and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF and to analyse possible correlations. Fourteen women undergoing IVF/ICSI were enrolled in this study. The concentrations of Hcy and Cys in follicular fluid correlated with the concentrations in plasma before stimulation and after oocyte retrieval. Significant differences in the concentrations of Hcy, Cys and GSH in follicular fluid with and without oocytes were not confirmed. The concentrations of Hcy and Cys were significantly lower together with higher 17b-estradiol after stimulation in plasma. A possible correlation between the number of oocytes, embryos, pregnancies and the levels of Hcy, Cys and GSH was not found. |