Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in follicular fluid of aged women undergoing IVF

BACKGROUND: The status characterized by the imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants molecules, defined as oxidative stress, has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of subfertility in females. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a complete micronutrients supplementation on oxidative stress levels in follicular microenvironment as well as on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. METHODS: This preliminary study was conducted between January 2014 and July 2015 at the Siena University Hospital Infertility Clinic. Serum and follicular fluid were collected from infertile women aged > 39 years who underwent two in vitro fertilization cycles: in the first cycle they were treated with GnRH-antagonist protocol and gonadotropins for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, whereas in the second cycle ovarian stimulation protocol was associated to micronutrients supplementation, starting three months earlier. Protein oxidation levels and total antioxidant capacity in serum and in follicular fluid were evaluated in IVF cycles with or without micronutrients supplementation. Differences in IVF outcome parameters were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Two-dimensional electrophoresis analyses demonstrated that when patients assumed micronutrients before IVF cycles, follicular fluid and serum proteins were protected from oxidative damage. Comparable results were obtained when total antioxidant capacity was measured. Moreover, the mean number of good quality oocytes retrieved when patients received micronutrients supplementation was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The additional treatment with micronutrients, starting three months before IVF cycles, protects the follicular microenvironment from oxidative stress, thus increasing the number of good quality oocytes recovered at the pick up.