Correlation between Follicular Fluid’s Androgen Level and Fertilization Rate in Poor Responder Patients Undergone IVF: A Prospective Cohort Done in Yasmin IVF Clinic, Jakarta, Indonesia
Abstract
Introduction Androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T), and dehidroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are known to be involved in folliculogenesis and follicular maturity. Lower follicular androgen levels in poor responder due to malfunctioned granulosa and theca cells and decreased inhibin B production will decrease FSH and LH. However, androgenic follicular fluid might also induce follicular atresia, decreased oocytes viability, thus affecting fertilization. The aim of current study is to find the correlation between intra-follicular androgen levels and fertilization rate, specifically in poor responder whom contributed in 84% cancelled cycle.
Material and Methods This prospective cohort study was done at Yasmin IVF Clinic, Jakarta, Indonesia, in January 2014-March 2015. Infertile women undergone IVF were asked to participate, grouped into poor responder and other, and the androgen levels in the follicular fluid of each consenting patients were measured.
Results From total 62 patients, aged 23-47 years old (37.6±5,068), there were 21 poor responders, whereas the other 41 patients with other indication. In poor responder group, levels of androstenedione, testosterone, and DHEA were 50.8 – 272.3 (103.5 ± 59.9), 383.2 – 1747.9 (1114.4 ± 373.2), 11.3 – 454.8 (151.3 ± 96.8), whereas in other group the androgen levels were 44.3 – 326.8 (95.1 ± 61.2), 414.1 – 1463.7 (976.9 ± 258.4), 44.6 – 265.8 (132.7 ± 61.3) with the correlation with fertilization rate 0.609, 0.095, and 0.361 respectively.
Conclusion Correlation between follicular androgen levels and fertilization rate found to be not significantly different. The low number of subjects might cause this result, as well as the presence of bias, e.g.male factor and endometriosis might also affect fertilization. A multi-center study with larger sample size added with thorough analysis is needed to reconfirm current data.
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