Higher follicular fluid glycodelin levels are negatively correlated with embryonic development in assisted reproduction

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the possible effect of follicular fluid glycodelin levels on the quality of developing oocytes and subsequent in vitro embryo development. Methods: Follicular fluid glycodelin levels of 145 patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment were analyzed and the correlation between glycodelin levels and ART outcomes were evaluated. Results: We found that glycodelin levels were negatively correlated with the number of high quality embryos on day 3 (r=-0.20, p=0.05). Additionally, higher glycodelin levels were correlated with higher FSH levels (r=0.18, p=0.04). However, glycodelin levels were not predictive for implantation (p=0.67) or ongoing pregnancy rates (p=0.99). Conclusion: Glycodelin in the follicular environment might be one of the factors that influence the competence of growing oocytes and affect the quality of subsequent in vitro embryo development.