Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Ain Chock Faculty of Sciences, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.

2 Department of Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Ain Chock Faculty of Sciences, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco. In vitro fertilization Center IRIFIV, Iris Clinic, Casablanca, Morocco

3 Labomac in vitro fertilization Center and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Casablanca, Morocco

4 In vitro fertilization Center IRIFIV, Iris Clinic, Casablanca, Morocco.

5 In vitro fertilization Center IRIFIV, Iris Clinic, Casablanca, Morocco. Labomac in vitro fertilization Center and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Casablanca, Morocco

10.22074/ijfs.2023.559526.1342

Abstract

Background: Oxidative/nitrosative stress in the oocyte's microenvironment could have an impact on the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. The presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) can stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to chronic inflammation and potentially affecting embryo and oocyte quality. The study aimed to examine the relationship between lipid peroxidation (measured by the malondialdehyde (MDA) assay) and protein carbonyl (measured by the dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) alkaline assay) levels in cumulus cells (CCs), as well as nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in follicular fluid (FF), and relate these levels to ICSI outcomes.

Material and Methods: In this prospective study, 63 FF samples and their corresponding CCs were collected for ICSI procedures. Spectrophotometry was used to assess the levels of DNPH, MDA, NO, and ONOO-. The CRP levels were assessed by an immunoturbidimetric assay.

Results: The patients under 37 years with normal ovarian reserve had significantly lower levels of MDA, DNPH alkaline, NO, ONOO-, and CRP compared to those over 37 years. Additionally, we observed higher levels of MDA, DNPH, NO, ONOO-, and CRP in the group with an oocyte maturity rate of less than 60%. No significant differences were observed between the DNPH levels, the duration of infertility, embryo quality, pregnancy, or the number of retrieved oocytes. A higher level of MDA, NO, ONOO-, and CRP was found to be significantly related to a lower number of retrieved oocytes, a longer period of infertility, poor embryo quality, and negative pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion: The oxidative/nitrosative stress linked to inflammation in the oocyte microenvironment can be considered a potentially useful biomarker for assessing the development and competence of oocytes and embryos and predicting ICSI outcomes.

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