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E-selectin, resistin and reactive oxygen species levels in GnRH -agonist and -antagonist protocols in IVF/ICSI: a prospective cohort study

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
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Abstract

Purpose

To compare E-selectin, resistin and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of subfertile women undergoing Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) during IVF/ICSI cycles, using GnRH-agonist and -antagonist protocols.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 85 subfertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI were included. Participants underwent the GnRH-agonist and -antagonist protocols; and blood samples were collected at three time points: basic (at start of COH), on the day of hCG and at oocyte retrieval (OR); and from the FF from the first follicle aspirate. Clinical and IVF cycle characteristics, were compared between groups, together with the levels of E-selectin, resistin and ROS in serum and FF, through ELISA. Their prognostic value on pregnancy outcomes was examined.

Result(s)

Examining molecules levels are increasing in serum, from start of COH until OR, irrespectively of the protocol used; FF levels at OR were similar to those in serum at that day. Resistin FF levels were lower in GnRH agonists, compared with the antagonist protocol. Resistin levels at start of COH were associated with clinical pregnancy rates, and this remained significant following adjustment for age, BMI and IVF protocol used, while values of >13.5 ng/ml were associated with a six times greater odd of a pregnancy.

Conclusion

E-selectin, resistin and ROS levels are increasing during COH, reaching their highest values at OR, with comparable values measured in the FF at that time. Resistin values >13.5 ng/ml are linked with a 6-fold increase on the odds of a pregnancy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the staff of the IVF Unit or the 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of University of Athens.

Conflict of interest

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

There was no finding for the current work. The study is a part of the PhD thesis of the second author.

Authors’ roles

CS: Study design, interpretation of findings and manuscript drafting.

MA: Study design, data collection and interpretation of findings.

CV: Study design, data analysis and manuscript preparation.

DK: Data acquisition and interpretation of results.

CC: Data acquisition, data collection and interpretation of results.

All authors critically reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Assisted Reproduction Unit, 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Rimini 1, Chaidari, Athens, 12642, Greece

    Charalampos Siristatidis & Marily Askoxylaki

  2. 2nd Department of Cardiology, University of Athens, Rimini 1, Chaidari, Athens, Greece

    Christos Varounis

  3. 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Rimini 1, Chaidari, Athens, 12642, Greece

    Dimitrios Kassanos & Charalampos Chrelias

Authors
  1. Charalampos Siristatidis
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  2. Marily Askoxylaki
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charalampos Siristatidis.

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Capsule

This prospective cohort study showed that E-selectin, resistin and ROS levels are increasing during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF/ICSI, reaching their highest values at the day of oocyte recovery, with comparable values measured in the follicular fluid at that time. Resistin values >13.5 ng/ml are linked with a 6-fold increase on the odds of a pregnancy.

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Siristatidis, C., Askoxylaki, M., Varounis, C. et al. E-selectin, resistin and reactive oxygen species levels in GnRH -agonist and -antagonist protocols in IVF/ICSI: a prospective cohort study. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 959–967 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0489-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0489-z

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