RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The failure to retrieve oocytes from mature ovarian follicles is referred to as empty follicle syndrome. There is no exact explanation to this problem and it cannot be predicted using ultrasound or serum hormonal levels. The underlying mechanism of Empty follicle syndrome remains obscure. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the authors have investigated the relationship between the Beta-Human chorionic gonadotropin ( ß HCG) levels in the follicular fluid with or without the oocyte in the follicles of patients undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three infertile couples underwent standard long protocol induction ovulation for Intracytoplasmic sperm injection. On the day of oocyte retrieval, each patient had two samples; follicular fluid including 2-3 follicles with oocyte and follicular fluid including of 2-3 follicles without oocyte were collected in separate tubes. These follicles had similar shape and size. The Samples were transferred to a laboratory for measuring the ß HCG level, after which the ß HCG levels were compared to the follicles with and without the oocyte in each patient. RESULTS: In this study, the ß HCG level of follicular fluid in the follicles containing oocyte was 18.20 (8.35-42.92) IU/L and in the follicles without the oocyte was 13.50 (5.45-25.81) IU/L. Levels of ß HCG in the follicular fluids containing the oocyte were higher than without oocytes, This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.16). CONCLUSION: It seems that the follicular fluid ß HCG isn't caused by empty follicle syndrome, and that dysfunctional folliculogenesis may be the cause of this syndrome.
RESUMEN
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine metabolic disorder with unclear etiopathogenesis among reproductive age women. Evidences show genetic susceptibility and environmental factors were associated with PCOS. The aim of this study was to find the association between urinary concentrations of Bisphenol-A as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) and PCOS. A case-control study was conducted in 51 samples in each group. All cases were selected from women who diagnosed with PCOS at Gynecology and infertility center. The control group was selected from women who had clinical file in the center due to previous problem and came for routine check-up and pap smear. The participants were asked to collect a first-morning urine sample before any medical interventions. Total BPA in urine were measured with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. Comparison of BPA level between two groups shows significantly higher level in PCOS group compared with control group (3.34 ± 2.63 vs 1.43 ± 1.57 ng/mL, P<0.001). Using logistic regression analysis, BPA as the main dependent variable, was significantly associated with PCOS with adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) equal to 1.53 (95% CI: 1.14-2.05, P =0.004). The results of this study indicated that BPA may play a major role in the PCOS pathogenesis. Further investigations with better design are necessary to confirm this association.
