Follicular Fluid Sialic Acid Levels in IVF Cycles
Follicular Fluid Sialic Acid Levels in IVF Cycles
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Reproductive Endocrinology and Invitro
 Fertilization (REI) unit of our hospital, following the approval of the hospital's ethics
 committee. Patients who underwent gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment
 were enrolled in the study. During oocyte retrieval, follicular fluids of mature follicles
 (≥18 mm) were collected and pooled for each patient. The thiobarbituric acid method was used
 for the sialic acid levels and the absorbance values were measured by a spectrophotometer at
 549 nm.
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Reproductive Endocrinology and Invitro
 Fertilization (REI) unit our hospital, following the approval of the hospital's ethics
 committee. The inclusion criteria were as follows; under 40 years of age, normal thyroid and
 prolactin hormone levels, a basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level <10 mIU/mL, BMI of
 19-30 kg/m2. Exclusion criteria: a history of ovarian surgery, endometriosis, uterine
 anomaly, any endocrine disease including congenital adrenal hyperplasia, smokers, use of any
 medications and hormones in the last 3 months. Before the IVF treatment serum follicle
 stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating
 hormone (TSH), and estradiol (E2) levels were measured on the third day of the cycle. Age,
 body mass index, duration of stimulation, duration of infertility, the total dose of
 gonadotropins, E2 on the day of hCG administration, number of oocytes retrieved,
 fertilization rate, and pregnancy rate were recorded.

 All patients underwent gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment. Oocyte
 retrieval was done 36 hours after the hCG injection and ICSI was used for all patients.
 Embryo transfer was performed 48-72 hours after the oocyte retrieval.

 During oocyte retrieval, follicular fluids of mature follicles (≥18 mm) were collected from
 the first follicle entered and were aspirated for each patient. Follicle aspirates, which
 were not clear and contaminated with blood, were excluded. Total and free sialic acid levels
 were measured in the follicular fluid.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  under 40 years of age,

 -  normal thyroid and prolactin hormone levels,

 -  a basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level <10 mIU/mL,

 -  body mass index (BMI) of 19-30 kg/m2

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  a history of ovarian surgery, endometriosis, uterine anomaly,

 -  any endocrine disease including congenital adrenal hyperplasia,

 -  smokers,

 -  use of any medications and hormones in the last 3 months.