Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 6, 1259-1264,
June 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Concentrations of carotenoids, retinol and 
-tocopherol in plasma and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF
1 Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, 2 Fertility Center of Dr Peet and Dr Sydow, Berlin, and 3 Department of Obstetrics, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Institute of Nutritional Science, University Potsdam, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114–116, D-14558 Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany. e-mail: fjschwei{at}rz.uni-potsdam.de
BACKGROUND: Carotenoids are transferred into follicular fluid where they might serve as antioxidants and/or as precursors of retinoids which might modulate follicular or oocyte functions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 77 women undergoing IVF differences between plasma and follicular fluid in the levels of carotenoids, retinol and 
-tocopherol were evaluated especially with regard to fertilization success. Concentration of total carotenoids, retinol and -tocopherol determined by HPLC in follicular fluid and plasma were 0.06 ± 0.02 versus 0.56 ± 0.23 µmol/l, 1.26 ± 0.52 versus 1.66 ± 0.37 µmol/l and 4.89 ± 2.13 versus 21.0 ± 5.7 µmol/l (mean ± SD) respectively (P < 0.001 for all). Differences between plasma and follicular fluid were greater for 
-carotene and lycopene (<20% of plasma concentration) than for lutein and zeaxanthin (>40%). Intrafollicular retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels represented 58 ± 23% and 60 ± 19% of plasma level. Similar molar ratios of retinol/RBP were observed. While no differences in the mean values of all components investigated were observed in plasma and follicular fluid between women with and without reproductive success, the variability in the concentration was much greater in follicular fluid obtained from women without reproductive success. CONCLUSIONS: It remains to be elucidated, if this is indicative of a disturbed sieving effect of the blood–follicle barrier with possibly negative consequences for oocyte maturation.
Key words: carotenoids/follicular fluid/human fertilization/retinol/tocopherol
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  F. J. Schweigert, B. Gericke, W. Wolfram, U. Kaisers, and J. W. Dudenhausen Peptide and protein profiles in serum and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF Hum. Reprod., November 1, 2006; 21(11): 2960 - 2968. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Jauniaux, T. Cindrova-Davies, J. Johns, C. Dunster, J. Hempstock, F. J. Kelly, and G. J. Burton Distribution and Transfer Pathways of Antioxidant Molecules inside the First Trimester Human Gestational Sac J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2004; 89(3): 1452 - 1458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|