The Effects of Oxidative Stress on Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Techniques

Purpose: To investigate the impact of oxidative stress on pregnancy success by monitoring malondialdehyde levels in follicular fluid. Methods: Forty five couples were enrolled in this prospective study. Following long protocol of GnRH analogues and r-FSH treatment, oocyte retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection were performed. Malondialdehyde levels were assayed by thiobarbutiric acid reacting substances test. Student's t-test and χ2 test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Patients were divided into two groups; group I (pregnancy positive, n = 20), group II (pregnancy negative, n = 25). There was no statistical significant difference in terms of age, infertility period, FSH levels on the third day, number of oocytes retrieved and fertilization rates between the two groups. Pregnancy rates were found to be decreasing in higher malondialdehyde levels. Conclusion: Malondialdehyde can be used as a marker of oxidative stress and a potential marker in predicting assisted reproductive techniques outcome.