Levels of insulin and cholesterol in human follicular fluid.

OBJECTIVE

The intent of this study was to ascertain if there was a correlation between insulin and cholesterol levels in follicular fluid and oocyte fertilizability and developmental potential.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The levels of immunoreactive cholesterol, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were determined in follicular lipoprotein-cholesterol were determined in follicular fluid samples obtained during transabdominal-transvesicular aspiration of follicles under ultrasound guidance, from patients treated with clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin for in vitro fertilization. Insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay and cholesterol by an enzymatic method.

RESULTS

Follicles containing oocytes with better fertilizability and greater developmental potential possessed lower concentrations of immunoreactive insulin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and higher concentrations of low-density lipoprotein- and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

These lipoprotein- and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

These changes in the level of cholesterol carried by the various lipoproteins in the follicular fluid strongly suggest that oocyte maturation is influenced by insulin-dependent steroidogenesis.