Superoxide dismutase activity in human follicular fluid after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization

Objective: To determine the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total protein concentration in human preovulatory ovarian follicular fluid (FF) in relation to corresponding serum levels and the fertilization capaci ty of oocytes. Design: Prospective, observational study. Setting: Academic-based center for reproductive medicine. Patient(s): Twenty-eight female partners of infertile couples, 13 of whom w ere smokers, undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF. Intervention(s): Blood and follicular fluid samples were collected 34-36 ho urs after hCG administration. Main Outcome Measure(s): Levels of SOD activity and total protein concentra tions. Result(s): Superoxide dismutase activity was present in all the FF studied and mean levels were statistically significantly higher than in serum. Tota l protein concentrations in serum were statistically significantly correlat ed with corresponding concentrations in FF. There was no difference in SOD activity between smokers and nonsmokers. Total protein concentrations in FF were marginally and statistically significantly lower in nonsmokers. Folli cular fluid from patients whose oocytes did not become fertilized had a sta tistically significantly higher level of SOD activity than that from patien ts whose oocytes did become fertilized. Conclusion(s): Superoxide dismutase activity is present in FF and is higher than in serum. The degree of SOD activity is variable and seems to be inve rsely related to the fertilization of oocytes. ((C)1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).