Cyclic AMP Concentrations in Follicular Fluids: Relationship to Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization Cycles

Abstract

Follicular fluids and their matched oocytes were obtained from 16 follicles of 7 women who conceived after in vitro fertilization(IVF), and 49 follicles of 17 women who failed to conceive after the procedure. Follicular development was induced with a combination of follicle-stimulating hormone and human menopausal gonadotropin. There was no significant difference in follicular cyclic AMP concentrations between preovulatory and immature oocytes. However, follicles of preovulatory oocytes obtained from women who conceived after IVF contained lower cyclic AMP concentrations than those from women who failed to conceive after the procedure. Follicles of cleaved oocytes from pregnant women contained lower cyclic AMP concentrations than those of cleaved oocytes from nonpregnant women or all uncleaved oocytes. These results suggest that lower cyclic AMP concentrations in follicular fluids are associated with successful pregnancies in IVF cycles.