Scavenger capacity of follicular fluid, decidua and culture medium with regard to assisted reproduction: an in vitro study using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The natural scavenger capacity of follicular fluid of women pre-treated for in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo transfer, Ham's F10 nutrient mixture used for oocyte culture and endometrium samples were studied in a hydroxyl free radical generating system, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The EPR signals appearing after the addition of samples to the reaction mixture show a diversely decreasing production of phenyl-tertier-butylnitrone spin adducts. Presumably, the follicular fluid and endometrium samples contain active factors which function as radical scavengers. The findings suggest that appropriate augmentative antioxidative therapy might be advised for IVF patients.