Age-related variations in follicular apolipoproteins may influence human oocyte maturation and fertility potential.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate involvement of specific apolipoproteins in the process of human oocyte maturation and age-related infertility as molecular constituents of follicular fluid.

DESIGN

Laboratory-based observational study.

SETTING

Basic science laboratory at a large academic institution.

PATIENT(S): Follicular fluid obtained from healthy women aged 18 to 45 years undergoing in vitro fertilization for unexplained infertility, ovulatory dysfunction, tubal disease, male factor infertility, or oocyte donation.

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Specific concentration of apolipoproteins and content of lipoprotein particles in follicular fluid and blood plasma as related to reproductive aging.

RESULT(S): We registered a decline of follicular apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) and apolipoprotein CII (Apo CII) and an increase of the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) with age, which parallels a lower number of retrieved mature oocytes in older women. Follicular apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B (Apo B), apolipoprotein E, and apolipoprotein C II are present in diverse heterogeneous complexes including very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-low-density lipoproteins (IDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) that vary with patient age and differ from the blood plasma lipoprotein complexes.

CONCLUSION(S): Age-related variation in follicular apolipoprotein content and distribution in the cholesterol particles may be associated with the decrease in production of mature oocytes and the age-related decline in fertility potential.