Superoxide dismutase activity in human follicular fluid after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total protein concentration in human preovulatory ovarian follicular fluid (FF) in relation to corresponding serum levels and the fertilization capacity of oocytes.
DESIGN: Prospective, observational study.
SETTING: Academic-based center for reproductive medicine. PATIENT(S): Twenty-eight female partners of infertile couples, 13 of whom were smokers, undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Blood and follicular fluid samples were collected 34-36 hours after hCG administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Levels of SOD activity and total protein concentrations. RESULT(S): Superoxide dismutase activity was present in all the FF studied and mean levels were statistically significantly higher than in serum. Total protein concentrations in serum were statistically significantly correlated with corresponding concentrations in FF. There was no difference in SOD activity between smokers and nonsmokers. Total protein concentrations in FF were marginally and statistically significantly lower in nonsmokers. Follicular fluid from patients whose oocytes did not become fertilized had a statistically significantly higher level of SOD activity than that from patients whose oocytes did become fertilized. CONCLUSION(S): Superoxide dismutase activity is present in FF and is higher than in serum. The degree of SOD activity is variable and seems to be inversely related to the fertilization of oocytes.