CORTISOL CONCENTRATIONS IN FOLLICULAR-FLUID OF LOW RESPONDER PATIENTS

The study was undertaken to examine any differences existing in total cortisol concentrations in the follicular fluid (FF) of pre-ruptured f ollicles between 'low responder' patients (group 1, n = 20) and 'good responder' patients (group 2, n = 15), The groups were defined accordi ng to how many oocytes had been retrieved during the previous in-vitro fertilization procedure (group 1: three or fewer; group 2: more than three) and total oestradiol concentration at previous in-vitro fertili zation (IVF) (group 1: less than or equal to 500 pg/ml; group 2: >500 pg/ml), All patients were aged 36-43 years (group 1 mean +/- SD: 38.2 +/- 4.7; group 2: 32.1 +/- 3.8 years) and were diagnosed with tubal or unexplained infertility, The total FF cortisol concentrations obtaine d in conjunction with an IVF procedure were assayed and related to ooc yte fertilization. Follicular fluid was analysed for total cortisol co ntent, Only follicles between 19 and 20 mm diameter were analysed in b oth groups, After aspiration of blood-free FF, total cortisol concentr ations were measured by radioimmunoassay, designed for the quantitativ e measurement of cortisol, and related to oocyte fertilization, Total cortisol concentration in FF from fertilized oocytes was 9.7 +/- 0.6 m u g/ml (mean +/- SD) in group 1 compared to 9.2 +/- 4.4 mu g/ml in gro up 2 (not statistically significant), Total cortisol concentrations we re not associated with oocyte fertilization and no difference between the groups was found in total cortisol concentrations in the FF of unf ertilized oocytes or empty follicles.