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HDL functionality in follicular fluid in normal-weight and obese women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) exert pleiotropic roles in follicular fluid (FF). Previous studies have reported a relationship between obesity, infertility, and systemic oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to investigate for the first time the HDL functional properties in FF in obesity.

Methods

In this observational study, overweight/obese (n = 20) and normal-weight women (n = 38) undergoing assisted reproductive technology were included. Compositional properties and biochemical marker of functionality (HDL oxidation rate), HDL-associated antioxidants (paraoxonase-1 activities and CoQ10 content), and lipid hydroperoxide levels were evaluated in FF from normal-weight and overweight/obese women. Correlations between biochemical parameters and indices for oocyte and embryo quality were studied.

Results

FF-HDL obtained from overweight/obese women are characterized by high intrinsic ability to be oxidized compared with FF-HDL from normal-weight women. These alterations are associated with lower activities of paraoxonase-1 (PON1), higher levels of lipid peroxidation, and a lower total antioxidant capacity in FF. Moreover, an association between PON1 activity and FF-HDL oxidation and clinical parameter of oocyte quality was observed.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the quality of FF-HDL is important determinant for oocyte quality. Therefore, targeting FF-HDL functionality, in addition to FF-HDL-C levels, may represent a promising and interesting biomarker for reproductive outcomes.

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Funding

The study was supported by grants from Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (to TB, LT) and Department of Clinical Sciences (to FG, A.V) of Polytechnic University of Marche. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

    Tiziana Bacchetti, Camilla Morresi, Luca Tiano & Patrick Orlando

  2. Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, Biology and Physics, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

    Arianna Vignini & Gianna Ferretti

  3. Woman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

    Nina Montik & Andrea Ciavattini

Authors
  1. Tiziana Bacchetti
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  2. Camilla Morresi
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  3. Arianna Vignini
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  4. Luca Tiano
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  6. Nina Montik
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  8. Gianna Ferretti
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Correspondence to Tiziana Bacchetti.

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Bacchetti, T., Morresi, C., Vignini, A. et al. HDL functionality in follicular fluid in normal-weight and obese women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. J Assist Reprod Genet 36, 1657–1664 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01523-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01523-9

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