Open AccessCirculating levels of nitric oxide in successful and unsuccessful implantation after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Relationship to estradiol and progesterone
Author(s) -
FÁBREGUES FRANCISCO,
BALASCH JUAN,
MANAU DOLORS,
CREUS MONTSERRAT,
JIMÉNEZ WLADIMIRO,
CARMONA FRANCISCO,
CASAMITJANA ROSER,
VANRELL JUAN A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2000.079007564.x
Subject(s) - nitrite , nitric oxide , embryo transfer , nitrate , pregnancy , in vitro fertilisation , embryo , medicine , andrology , endocrinology , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Background. Nitric oxide (NO) may play an important role in embryo implantation and early embryo development. This study investigated the potential role of circulating nitric oxide (NO) measurement to predict the outcome of implantation and pregnancy after IVF and ET. Methods. Two blood samples were collected from 237 IVF patients on days 13–14 and 20–21 after ET. Serum concentration of nitrite/nitrate (the two stable oxidation products of NO metabolism), estradiol (E 2 ), progesterone and β‐hCG were measured on days 13–14 after ET and one week later. Results. No significant differences were found with respect to nitrite/nitrate serum concentrations in conception versus non‐conception cycles, viable versus abnormal pregnancies, and viable pregnancy group versus non‐conception cycles, respectively, despite that significant differences were observed regarding E 2 and progesterone values. Nitrite/nitrate serum concentrations were similar for singleton and multiple pregnancies at both study points. In viable pregnancies, no significant change was observed for nitrite/nitrate serum concentration from days 13–14 to 20–21 after ET. No correlation was found between nitrite/nitrate serum concentration and E 2 or progesterone serum levels. Conclusions. Circulating levels of nitrite/nitrate are similar in successful and unsuccessful implantation after IVF and are unrelated to the outcome of pregnancy. This precludes the use of serum NO measurement as a marker of implantation and successful pregnancy in IVF.