Reactive oxygen species in follicular fluid may serve as biochemical markers to determine ovarian aging and follicular metabolic age

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in the process of ovarian aging.

Methods: Follicular fluid (FF) from two randomly selected sibling follicles was collected from women undergoing in-vitro fertilization and tested for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels.

Results: Group A consists of seven women with whom each of the two sibling separate follicle yielded an oocyte that was later discordantly developed to a low- and top-quality embryo. Group B consists of 13 patients in whom one of the sibling follicle yielded an oocyte while the other did not (empty follicle).

High-quality embryos were derived from follicles with lower H₂O₂ levels compared to follicles from which poor-quality embryos developed (1.004 units ± 0.260 versus 1.145 units ± 0.236, p < 0.02). H₂O₂ levels were significantly higher (0.951 units ± 0.233 versus 0.623 units ± 0.309, p < 0.001) in sibling follicles containing oocyte compared to empty follicles.

Conclusion: During the process of ovarian ageing, there might be a gradual increase in H₂O₂ level in the follicle. Finally, when the follicle ages and becomes empty of oocyte H₂O₂ levels drops significantly. Therefore, H₂O₂ levels in FF may serve as a possible marker to determine ovarian aging and follicular metabolic age.

Chinese abstract

前言:本次研究的目的为评估氧化应激在卵巢老化过程中的作用。

方法:在正在进行体外受精的妇女中随机采集两枚同源卵泡并测验卵泡液中的过氧化氢(H₂O₂)水平。

结果: A组包含七名妇女，其两个同源卵泡最终发育为一个低质量胚胎和一个高质量胚胎，B组包含13名患者，其一个卵泡发育为胚胎而另一卵泡未成功发育（空卵泡）。高质量胚胎来源的卵泡与低质量胚胎来源的卵泡相比过氧化氢水平更低(1.004 单位 ± 0.260 与 1.145 单位 ± 0.236,p<0.02). 过氧化氢水平包括卵母细胞的同源卵泡与空卵泡相比显著增高(0.951 units ± 0.233 versus 0.623 units ± 0.309,p<0.001)。

结论:在卵巢老化的过程中，卵泡过氧化氢水平或许会逐渐升高。最终当卵泡老化，不含卵母细胞时，过氧化氢水平将显著降低。因此卵泡液中过氧化氢水平或可作为衡量卵巢老化和卵泡代谢年龄的标记物。

• Ageing
• follicle
• H₂O₂
• ovary
• reactive oxygen species