Follicular Fluid OocyteCumulus-Free DNA Concentrations as a Potential Biomolecular Marker of Embryo Quality and IVF Outcome

Abstract EN

The present prospective study examined the follicular fluid oocyte/cumulus-free DNA concentrations (ff o/c-free DNA) during ovarian stimulation and the possible association between ff o/c-free DNA and embryological results such as embryo quality and pregnancy rate.

Eighty-three women undergoing IV/ICSI-ET treatments were prospectively included in this study.

ff o/c-free DNA was determined by conventional quantitative real time PCR-Sybr green detection approach.

The 83 ff samples were categorized in two groups: group 1 n=62 with cumulus oocytes complexes (CoCs) ≥2  and group 2 n=21 with CoCs = 1.

Group 1 revealed significant higher embryo quality in terms of mean score of embryo transfer (MSET), but lower ff o/c-free DNA concentrations compared to group 2.

The two groups showed comparable pregnancy rates (positive hCG and clinical pregnancy).

The higher the ff o/c-free DNA concentration, the lower the number of produced oocytes.

ff o/c-free DNA did not seem to have any direct role in the IVF outcome.

Further research is required to clarify whether ff o/c-free DNA is a biomolecular marker of embryo quality and IVF outcome.