Evaluation of the antioxidant effect of follicular fluid glutathione level on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes

Rihab Abbas Ali; Rabab Zahir Al-yasiry; Sahbaa Hafedh Sagban

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20250912083521

Abstract
Background: Antioxidant status in human follicular fluid (FF) surrounding oocytes may be related to the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (ICSI‐ET). So, we here aimed to exam the relationship between antioxidant status in FF in form of total GSH and the outcomes of ICSI‐ET. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was done in the center of fertility treatment, Al-Kafeel Superspecialty hospital, Iraq. 102 sub-fertile couples were involved in this study. The time course of the study is from September 2023 to April 2024. FF was obtained from mature follicles at the time of oocyte pick up. The total glutathione (GSH) concentrations was measured. Results: The couples participants were categorized according to pregnancy state to evaluate the precise role of glutathione on pregnancy state and ICSI outcome. First group has significantly a higher number of retrieved oocyte, MII, 2PN, total embryo number, and good quality embryo (P value <0.05). Total follicular fluid GSH levels were significantly higher in pregnant women after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). On grouping the patients according to the cause of infertility, total GSH activity was higher in patients with male factor infertility. Conclusions: Total GSH in human FF may be predictive markers for pregnancy in ART.

Key words: Follicular fluid, glutathione, Antioxidant, intracytoplasmic sperm injection.