O-24: Increased Homocysteinein PCOS Affects Oocyte and Embryo Quality

Background: The biochemical characteristics of the follicular fluid (FF) play essential role in oocyte quality, the subsequent fertilization potential and embryo development. The oocyte quality and metabolism largely depends on follicular microenvironment. Present study aimed to investigate the relationship between oocyte quality and FF homocysteine (Hcy) level in women undergoing to IVF treatment. Materials and Methods: Following standard long protocol, 52 infertile women were selected for IVF process. FF sample was obtained from a single follicle in each patient. FF Hcy, glucose and estradiol (E2) levels were evaluated at time of oocyte retrieval. Moreover the oocyte and embryo qualities were estimated. Three embryos were transferred to each patient approximately 48hsafter insemination and finally scored based on the shape, number and fragmentation of blastomers. Results: Observations demonstrated that, there was a negative correlation between FF Hcylevel with oocyte quality. Accordingly patients with increased Hcy revealed with poor oocyte, low fertilization rate and with low embryo quality as well. Conclusion: Our results indicated that in the case of increased FF Hcy, the fertilizing rate and the embryo quality reduces. Thus the FF Hcy can be considering as a prognostic marker for IVF outcome.