STUDY ON THE PRESENCE OF HOMOCYSTEINE IN OVARIAN FOLLICULAR-FLUID

Objective: To study the presence of homocysteine, methionine and the v itamins folate, B-12, and B-6 in human ovarian follicular fluid (FF). Design: Measurement of homocysteine, methionine, folate, and vitamins B-12 and B-6 in ovarian FF and blood. Setting: Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Radboud Hospital, Nijmegen, The Nethe rlands. Participants: Fourteen healthy women undergoing an IVF program . Results: Detectable amounts of homocysteine and methionine were foun d in FF. Homocysteine concentrations were similar to those in serum. M ethionine concentrations proved to be slightly but significantly lower than in corresponding serum samples. Concentrations of vitamins B-12 and B-6 were significantly lower in FF than in serum, whereas folate c oncentrations were not significantly different. A statistically signif icant correlation between corresponding serum and FF concentrations of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 could be established. Conclusi ons: These data support the hypothesis that the ovum might be exposed to high homocysteine or low methionine concentrations, or both, and a lack of vitamins, which might be important in fertilization and early embryogenesis.