Evaluation of serum CA 125 concentration before and during hormonal induced cycles as predictor of IVF/ET outcome.

PROBLEM: To evaluate the role of CA 125 in prediction of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET) outcome.

METHOD OF STUDY: Serum CA 125 concentrations were evaluated in the spontaneous and stimulated cycles of 33 patients. CA 125 was measured using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) (Abbott, Diagnostics, USA). Follicular growth, endometrial thickness and subendometrial blood flow were evaluated by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound. Statistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Friedman test.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) of CA 125 values between spontaneous and stimulated cycles, and between pregnant and non-pregnant patients. A CA 125 rise from the late proliferative to the early secretory phase (P < 0.05) was obtained only in the stimulated cycles. There was no relationship between CA 125, follicle number, endometrial thickness and resistance index of the subendometrial vessels.

CONCLUSION

CA 125 levels are not predictive of ovarian and endometrial response. Hormonal stimulation does not effect serum CA 125 concentration. There was no influence of CA 125 levels on IVF/ET outcome in stimulated cycles.