[Correlation between follicle levels of superoxide dismutase and oocyte quality, fertilization rates and embryo development]. / Correlación entre las concentraciones intrafoliculares de la superóxido dismutasa y la calidad ovocitaria, las tasas de fertilización y el desarrollo embrionario.

BACKGROUND: The intraovarian oxidative balance is important during oocyte development, and fertilization. It has been proposed that one of the most important enzymes in the follicle is the superoxide dismutase (SOD). OBJECTIVE: To correlate levels and percentage of SOD activity in follicular liquid with quality, fertilization and embryo development in a group of patients submitted to in vitro fertilization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We obtained 120 follicular liquids from oocytes aspirated in 41 patients during an IVF program and then we followed the development of each oocyte separately. We measured the activity and concentration of SOD in the follicular liquid, and we evaluated the following variables: quality and maturity in the oocytes, as well as fertilization rate, segmentation rate and pregnancy. The statistical analysis was made with ANOVA test and Pearson test. RESULTS: In the analysis of the results, we observed a higher percentage of activity in the SOD in oocytes with good quality (3 and 4) in comparison with poor quality oocyte (1 and 2) (89 and 82% vs 75 and 61% p<0.05). We observed higher concentrations and activity of SOD in oocytes with a good fertilization rate and segmentation (p<0.05). When we analyzed the variables in function of pregnancy, we observed that the embryos that were transferred and developed pregnancy had higher concentrations and activity of SOD than embryos that did not develop pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels and high percentage in the activity of SOD are associated with a better quality in the oocyte, and a good embryo development, influenced by the oxidative balance.

[Activation in the metaloproteinases complex in the follicle-embryonic generative capability]. / Activación en el complejo de metaloproteinasas en la capacidad generativa folículo-embrionaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the enzymatic inhibition complex of metaloproteinases [TIMP(MMP-3 stromelisine-1)] in follicle/genesis processes and their ovule/embryonic subsequent development in stimulated cycles. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective longitudinal in research center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients were evaluated in vitro fertilization cycles measuring matrix metaloproteinases concentrations in days 3 and 12 of ovarian stimulation, as well as in the follicular liquid at the moment of ovarian retrieval. The determination of [TIMP/(MMP-3 stromelisine-1)] was done by ELISA and monoclonal antibodies type of immunoassay methods. For its statistical evaluation were applied linear regression models ( r/r2 ) and Kolmogorov-Smirov test comparing the two groups where values were expressed in agreement at its mean, standard deviation and a significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: For regression models was found a positive correlation between basal FSH and the age of patients [(r2 = 0.26)(p = 0.003)], dividing groups in older and younger patients than 35 years; it was observed significant difference in metaloproteinases concentration as in serum concentration (days 3 and 12 of stimulation) as in the follicular liquid. A decrease in the 14% [(TIMP/(MMP-3/stromelisine-1)] complex concentration was increasing in accordance at the female patients age. CONCLUSIONS: The matrix metaloproteinases complex study has allowed observing a status not only in the ovular quality but in the embryonic development and fertilization processes too.

Efecto de los niveles de interleucina-6 intrafolicular en la secreción de estradiol y progesterona de pacientes tratadas con fertilización in vitro y transferencia de embriones / Effect of the follicul on inter leuking-6 over secretion of either estradiol and progesterone in patients undergone to in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la relación entre los niveles intrafoliculares de Interleucina-6 (IL-6) y las concentraciones séricas de estradiol y progesterona en pacientes que reciben hiperestimulación ovárica controlada. Se midieron los niveles intrafoliculares de IL-6 en 15 pacientes tratadas con fertilización in vitro y transferencia de embriones y fueron correlacionados con los valores séricos de estradiol y progesterona. Hubo correlación negativa entre los niveles intrafoliculares de IL-6 y el estradiol y la progesterona. Cuatro de las pacientes lograron el embarazo (tasa de embarazo 26.6 por ciento), una de ellas presentó un aborto espontáneo. Como conclusión, se establece que los niveles elevados de IL-6 en el folículo pueden ser debido a una reacción a la hiperestimulación ovárica controlada y en cierto sentido, a un mecanismo de defensa. Tomando en cuenta la reducción en los niveles de estradiol relacionados con la elevación de IL-6, es probable que exista una reducción sutil en la acción de la aromatasa por acción de la IL-6 y otras citocinas.