Soluble CD44 in human ovarian follicular fluid

Purpose: in the present study, we investigated the existence of soluble CD4 4 (sCD44) in human follicular fluid the relationship between the concentrat ion of sCD44 and that of other hormonal parameters, and the prognostic valu e of sCD44 in follicular fluid in in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs. Methods: A total of 63 follicular fluid specimens from patients (n = 30) pa rticipating in our NF programs was analyzed by RIA and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean concentration (+/- SE) of sCD44 in follicular fluid was 2 65.4 +/- 7.8 ng/ml. The variation of the follicular fluid concentration of sCD44 was strictly associated with that of human chorionic gonadotropin (hC G) (r = 0.572, P < 0.0001). The mean concentration of sCD44 in follicular f luid was significantly higher in follicles containing subsequently unfertil ized oocytes than that in those containing oocytes that had undergone ferti lization (P = 0.0428). In the analysis of each follicle that contained an o ocyte subsequently fertilized, the mean concentration of sCD44 was signific antly higher in follicular fluid with the subsequently good-quality embryos than in that with the subsequently poor-quality embryos (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results indicated that the concentration of sCD44 in fol licular fluid reflects the development of embryos derived from the same fol licle, so the sCD44 in human follicular fluid may be useful in the assessme nt of the prognostic value of NF programs.