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Inhibin B Predicts Oocyte Number and the Ratio IGF-I/IGFBP-1 May Indicate Oocyte Quality During Ovarian Hyperstimulation for In Vitro Fertilization

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Abstract

Purpose: To perform a retrospective analysis of 62 age-matched IVF-treated women in order to investigate whether levels of inhibin B, IGF-I, and IGFBP-1 in serum 2 days before oocyte retrieval and in follicular fluid at the day of oocyte retrieval might be useful as indicators of the ovarian ability to produce oocytes (ovarian reserve).

Methods: Patients were allocated into three groups on the basis of the number of oocytes retrieved. Group 1 (“low responders”) had 0–3 oocytes, group 2 (“normal responders”) had 6–11 oocytes, and group 3 (“high responders”) had 12 oocytes or more. Levels of inhibin B, IGF-I, and IGFBP-1 in follicular fluid and in serum obtained 2 days before oocyte retrieval were analyzed and correlated to clinical parameters including estradiol levels, progesterone levels, follicle size, follicle number, and oocyte number.

Results: We found significant differences in inhibin B levels in the three groups. Inhibin B levels in follicular fluid and serum was strongly correlated to the number of oocytes retrieved (p < 0.01). The number of oocytes retrieved were also correlated to total FSH dose (p < 0.05), to estradiol 2 days before and at ovum pick-up (p < 0.05), to progesterone at ovum pick-up (p < 0.0001), to progesterone at embryo transfer (p < 0.05), and to the number of follicles (size 12–15 mm, p < 0.001, size>15 mm, p < 0.01). Serum inhibin B also correlated to follicular fluid inhibin B (p < 0.01). Inhibin B was not correlated to pregnancy. In contrast, the ratio IGF-I/IGFBP-1 in serum as well as in follicular fluid was significantly higher in women who became pregnant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results show that inhibin B in serum 2 days before oocyte retrieval predicts number of oocytes retrieved. Since inhibin B in serum before oocyte retrieval in ovarian hyperstimulation was strongly predictive of the number of oocytes retrieved, it appears useful as a marker for ovarian response. Inhibin B did not predict treatment outcome, whereas the ratio IGF-I/IGFBP-1 in serum and follicular fluid was significantly higher in women who became pregnant. The ratio IGF-I/IGFBP-1 may thus reflect oocyte quality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Women and Child Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Gabriel Fried, Katarina Remaeus, Jonas Harlin, György Csemiczky & Arthur Aanesen

  2. Department of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    Elisabeth Krog & Michael Tally

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  1. Gabriel Fried
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  2. Katarina Remaeus
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  3. Jonas Harlin
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  7. Michael Tally
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Fried, G., Remaeus, K., Harlin, J. et al. Inhibin B Predicts Oocyte Number and the Ratio IGF-I/IGFBP-1 May Indicate Oocyte Quality During Ovarian Hyperstimulation for In Vitro Fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 20, 167–176 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023656225053

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