Follicular fluid alpha1-antitrypsin-correlation with fertilizing capacity of oocytes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary. Follicular fluid and serum concentrations of α‐antitrypsin (α1‐AT) were determined by radial immunodiffusion in 72 samples obtained from 33 infertile women undergoing in‐vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. A statistically significantly lower concentration of α1‐AT was found in follicular fluids from which mature oocytes were recovered (mean 1.52, SE 0.06 g/l) than in those yielding immature oocytes (mean 2·96, SE 0·22 g/l). There was also a significantly higher rate of fertilization (85%) for oocytes from follicular fluids with α1‐AT concentrations of ≤2·0 g/l than for those obtained when the α1‐AT concentration was >2·0 g/l (only 25%). The mean follicular fluid α1‐AT concentration (1 ·52, SE 0·06 g/l) of follicles yielding mature oocytes was significantly lower than the relevant mean serum concentration (3·17, SE 0·10 g/l). There was, however, no significant difference between follicular and serum concentration of α1‐AT in the group yielding immature oocytes or in the serum concentrations between the different oocyte maturity groups. The measurement of follicular α1‐AT may be a useful adjunct in predicting which oocytes are mature and likely to be fertilized.