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Follicular fluid PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end–products correlate with ovarian sensitivity index in women undergoing A.R.T.

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Abstract

Purpose

Considering potential roles of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and placental growth factor (PlGF) in ovarian function and embryo implantation, in the present study we have evaluated the association of these factors and also PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio with the ovarian response and implantation rate by dividing patients according to the OSI.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 90 infertile women who were undergoing ICSI cycle using long protocol were recruited. The patients were divided according to ovarian sensitivity index (OSI). ICSI cycle outcomes were evaluated for each patient and PlGF, sFlt-1 and sRAGE levels of follicular fluid were assayed using commercial ELISA kits.

Results

Follicular fluid (FF) sRAGE levels and PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio were statistically greater in high-responder women than other responders (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were obtained between sRAGE level with the number of oocytes, follicles and OSI level. sRAGE levels with cutoff value of 4.83 (ng/ml) for evaluating the pregnancy outcome showed 81.8 % sensitivity and 60.7 % specificity. Furthermore, there were positive associations between PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio with the number of oocytes, embryos and OSI level.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results of current study supported that good ovarian response is independent of pregnancy outcome. Our results showed that FF levels of sRAGE and PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio could be used as markers for determining the high-responder women. Also, FF sRAGE levels could be a good predictor for ART outcome.

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Abbreviations

OSI:

Ovarian sensitivity index

PlGF:

Placental growth factor

AMH:

Anti-mullerian hormone

sFlt-1:

Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1

AGEs:

Advanced glycation end products

RAGE:

Receptor for advanced glycation end products

sRAGE:

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products

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Acknowledgments

The current work was supported by a Grant (Research Project Number 5/4/1870) from the Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and this article was extracted from the M.Sc. thesis of Hamid Reza Nejabati.

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Correspondence to K. Hamdi or M. Nouri.

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The agreement of the Ethical Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences was obtained.

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Nejabati, H.R., Mota, A., Farzadi, L. et al. Follicular fluid PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end–products correlate with ovarian sensitivity index in women undergoing A.R.T.. J Endocrinol Invest 40, 207–215 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0550-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0550-5

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