BACKGROUND Human follicular fluid contains several substances, such as cytokines and growth factors, which may affect follicular growth and maturation. The present study examines the relative contribution of macrophages and granulosa cells in the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and adrenomedullin in the human ovulatory follicle. METHODS Both follicular fluid samples an...

BACKGROUND A poor quality of oocytes and embryos and a low fertilization rate have been found in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. An inverse association between follicular fluid homocysteine (Hcy) levels and oocyte and embryo quality has also been demonstrated. We examined the relationship between follicular fluid Hcy concentrations and oocyte and embryo quality in PCOS patients under...

Aim: The present study was designed to biochemically characterize ovarian cyst follicular fluid of sows and to relate possible changes in relation to preovulatory ovarian follicular fluid of sows. Materials and Methods: Ovaries were collected from adult and non-pregnant slaughtered sow (Hampshire X local cross). A total of 16 pairs of ovaries were investigated, and they were classified accordin...

Studies in cattle assessing changes in number and size of antral follicles, concentrations of estradiol, androgens and progesterone in serum and follicular fluid, and numbers of gonadotropin receptors per follicle during repetitive estrous cycles and postpartum anestrus are reviewed. The rate of growth of small follicles (1 to 3 mm) into larger follicles increases as the estrous cycle progresse...

OBJECTIVE To determine follicular-fluid neurotrophin levels in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques for different etiologies of infertility. DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING Academically affiliated assisted reproductive techniques unit. PATIENT(S) One hundred six patients undergoing an IVF cycle for different etiologies of infertility. INTERVENTION(S) Assessm...

The Great Lakes basin is characterized as a heavily populated and industrialized region in which a large number of environmental contaminants have been identified. Both the scientific community and the public have voiced concern that contaminants present in the Great Lakes may pose undue risk to human reproduction. Evidence from animal experiments, wildlife studies, and reports of occupational ...

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. OBJECTI...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the changes of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) affect the pregnancy outcome in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for assisted reproduction. Forty-five infertile women who were undergoing pituitary desensitization and COH for in vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and 19 ...