Follicular Fluid

As the human ovarian follicle enlarges in the course of a regular cycle or following controlled ovarian stimulation, the changes in its structure reveal the oocyte environment composed of cumulus oophorus cells and the follicular fluid (FF).In contrast to the dynamic nature of cells, the fluid compartment appears as a reservoir rich in biomolecules. In some aspects, it is similar to the plasma, but it also exhibits differences that likely relate to its specific localization around the oocyte. The chemical composition indicates that the follicular fluid is able to detect and buffer excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species, employing a variety of antioxidants, some of them components of the intracellular milieu.An important part is played by albumin through specific cysteine residues. But the fluid contains other molecules whose cysteine residues may be involved in sensing and buffering the local oxidative conditions. How these molecules are recruited and regulated to intervene su...

The present manuscript summarizes the research, which is currently going on in our department regarding the interaction between negative energy balance (NEB) and fertility in modern high yielding dairy cows. In this work, it has been clearly demonstrated that nearly 50% of the recently calved dairy cows suffer from one or another ovarian dysfunc- tion during the preservice postpartum period. Both clinical signs of a significant negative energy balance as well as the occurrence of puerperal disorders were main risk factors to suffer from these ovarian problems. In the following research using repeated ovum pick sessions it was demonstrated that homeorhetic changes of metabo- lites known as typical indicators of the negative energy balance, were reflected in the follicular fluid of the dominant folli- cle during the immediate postpartum period. Based on in vitro experiments it was furthermore shown that these metabo- lites were able to affect bovine granulosa cells at concentrations, ...

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the (i) regulatory role of G i-like protein during the acrosome reaction (AR) of normal sperm donors and (ii) the role of intact acrosomes during sperm–zona binding. Methods: The acrosomal exocytosis of spermatozoa incubated with solubilized zona pellucida (ZP) at a final concentration of 1 ZP/μl was compared with 10 μM calcium ionophore A23187 and 30% (v/v) pooled human follicular fluid (HFF). Spermatozoa were incubated with 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml pertussis toxin (PT) during capacitation to functionally inactivate the G i-like protein. The sperm–zona binding potential of 100 ng/ml PT-treated spermatozoa followed, by exposure to 1 ZP/μl, revealed significantly higher zona-bound spermatozoa compared to controls treated with 1 ZP/μl only. Results: PT treatment of spermatozoa did not affect sperm motility, however, inhibited the percentage AR induced by solubilized ZP. In contrast, the A23187- and HFF-induced ARs were not sensitive to PT treatment. PT inhibition of the ZP-induced AR occurred in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximal effects observed at 100 ng/ml PT. Conclusions: In conclusion, it seems that PT-sensitive G i-like protein in human spermatozoa plays an important regulatory role in the AR induced by the human ZP, and this underlines the importance of intact acrosomes during sperm–zona binding.

To evaluate the importance of follicular flushing on semi natural cycle IVF. We have compared prospectively the reproductive potential of oocytes obtained from follicular fluid (LF, N = 79) to those obtained from follicular flushing (R, N = 47) in 146 oocyte pick ups. The group LF and R were similar with regard to fertilization rate (79.7 versus 88.1%, respectively), percentage of superior grade embryos (28.8 versus 37.8%) and implantation rate (24.1 versus 44.1%). The practice of follicular flushing on semi natural IVF cycle improves the pregnancy rate. The oocytes obtained by follicular flushing had the same reproductive potential than those obtained on follicular fluid.

Amongst the 200 deer subspecies worldwide, more than 40 are considered as endangered. In vitro embryo production may represent an efficient way to produce and disseminate offspring from sparse remaining individuals in these species. With a view to establishing a method of in vitro embryo production, we assessed the ovarian response after hormonal stimulation (oFSH), oocyte yield following laporoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) and oocyte developmental competence according to seasonal reproductive status in sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon). Twelve adult sika deer hinds were allocated between two groups and submitted weekly to oFSH follicular growth stimulation followed by LOPU. Hinds in Group A (n=6) were treated first during the breeding season (5 weeks), and then during the non-breeding season (3 weeks). Hinds in Group B (n=6) were submitted to similar procedures but in the reverse order (treated first during the non-breeding season). Cumulus-oocytes complexes (COC) recovered from Group ...

Comparisons of numbers of antral ovarian follicles and corpora lutea (CL), of blood hormone concentrations, and of follicular fluid steroid concentrations and IGFBP activity were conducted between cows selected (twinner) and unselected (control) for twin births to elucidate genetic differences in the regulation of ovarian follicular development. Ovarian follicular development was synchronized among cows by a single i.m. injection of PGF2alpha on d 18 of the estrous cycle; six cows per population were slaughtered at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after PGF2alpha. Jugular vein blood was collected from each animal at PGF2alpha injection and at 24-h intervals until slaughter. Ovaries of twinner cows contained more small (< or = 5 mm in diameter, P < 0.05), medium (5.1 to 9.9 mm, P < 0.05), and large (> or = 10.0 mm, P < 0.01) follicles and more (P < 0.01) CL than ovaries of controls. Follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone, and progesterone ref...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The prediction of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes by anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) measurement is getting increasing attention from clinicians. This study compares the relationship between serum or intrafollicular AMH levels and IVF outcomes in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).METHODS:This prospective study was carried out in two university-based fertility clinics. Serum samples were collected on cycle day 3 and follicular fluid (FF) was collected on the day of oocyte retrieval from 26 women with PCOS and 42 normo-ovulatory controls. AMH levels were measured in the samples using immunoenzymatic assay. The relationship between serum or FF AMH levels and IVF outcomes, including number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte maturation rate, fertilization rate, implantation rate, high quality grade embryo rate, and biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates were further assessed.RESULTS:Median serum basal AMH and FF AMH levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group as compared to controls, the values being 14.2 ng/mL vs. 3.2 ng/mL (P<.001) and 8.2 ng/g protein vs. 4.7 ng/g protein (P<.01), respectively. In both groups, serum basal AMH levels showed a positive correlation with number of oocytes retrieved (r=0.323; P=.037 in control vs. r=0.529; P=.005 in PCOS). In the control group, there was a positive relationship between serum basal AMH levels and percentage of matured oocytes (r = 0.331; P=.032) and implantation rate (r=0.305; P=.05).CONCLUSION:Serum basal, and not intrafollicular, AMH levels may be a good predictive factor for quantitative and qualitative IVF outcomes in normo-ovulatory, but not in PCOS patients.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data about the levels of soluble apoptotic factors and their modulation with therapeutic regimens in IVF cycles. The aim of the current study was to determine follicular fluid, and serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) in PCOS patients undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles; also to investigate the effects of metformin on these factors