BACKGROUND Studies suggest that ovarian follicles are cooler than their surrounding tissues. The mechanism of this remarkable phenomenon is unclear. We postulate that endothermic reactions accompany the growth-associated hydration of follicular fluid. METHODS We performed two types of experiment, using human and animal follicular fluids. In the first, saline (50 microl) was injected into foll...

Background: Animal and in vitro studies have shown that 25-OH vitamin D plays a significant role in different parts of body. Few data exist about the role of 25- OH vitamin D in reproduction. Insufficient levels during pregnancy are potentially associated with increased risk of preeclampsia, insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus. Recently, few studies have assessed the prognostic...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine amino acid (AA), ammonia and urea concentrations in human ovarian follicular fluid and to compare these concentrations with those in the circulation. METHODS Samples of pre-ovulatory follicular fluid and peripheral venous blood were obtained from 14 IVF patients. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements of 25 AAs were the main outcome...

introduction: in vitro maturation and development of immature oocytes, as an artificial reproduction technique, is useful especially in women who are affected by cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome. despite using many types of in vitro media, an appropriate environment has not been reported yet. present study was designed to assess the effect of heated human follicular fluid (hhff), which is s...

background: determination of oocyte fertilization and embryo quality are one of the most important purposes in art cycles. follicular fluid provides an important microenvironment for development of oocytes and some biochemical characteristics of the follicular fluid, such as pregnancy-associated plasma protein-a (papp-a), may play an important role in prediction of success rate of art. objectiv...

Human follicular fluid, considered sterile, is aspirated as part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. However, it is easily contaminated by the trans-vaginal collection route and little information exists in its potential to support the growth of microorganisms. The objectives of this study were to determine whether human follicular fluid can support bacterial growth over time, whether the...

Human small antral follicles (diameter 3-9 mm) were obtained from ovaries surgically removed for fertility preservation. From the individual aspirated follicles, granulosa cells and the corresponding follicular fluid were isolated in 64 follicles, of which 55 were available for mRNA analysis (24 women). Expressions of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA levels in granulosa cells, and of androstenedione...

BACKGROUND In the present study, we report that D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) occurs in human ovarian follicular fluid and that a relationship may exist between the concentration of this amino acid and oocyte quality. METHODS Samples of pre-ovulatory follicle fluid were obtained from 20 patients undergoing an IVF programme. The concentration of D-Asp was measured by using specific high-performance ...