Combelles CMH, Holick EA, Racowsky C. Release of superoxide dismutase-1 by day 3 embryos of varying quality and implantation potential.
J Assist Reprod Genet 2012;
29:305-11. [PMID:
22274808 DOI:
10.1007/s10815-012-9711-4]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE
To determine if the antioxidant superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1 or Cu,Zn-SOD) is released by cultured human cleavage-stage embryos and to assess any link between SOD1 and implantation potential.
METHODS
Women (n = 91; ≤40 years old) undergoing IVF treatment with transfer of one or two 8-cell embryos that resulted in 0 or 100% implantation were included. Following individual embryo culture, spent medium samples (n = 122) were collected and levels of SOD1 protein were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SOD1 detection and concentration in embryo spent medium were analyzed in relation to embryo fragmentation and symmetry scores, and implantation (viable fetus at >12 weeks).
RESULTS
Cleavage-stage embryos release SOD1 protein into the spent culture medium. Neither detection nor concentration of SOD1 was related to implantation. There was a positive relationship between increased embryo fragmentation scores and SOD1 release, with no apparent association with symmetry. In non-pregnant cycles, the release of SOD1 decreased with increasing maternal age.
CONCLUSIONS
While SOD1 does not predict implantation potential of select good-quality embryos, our data support the need to evaluate the biological significance of released SOD1 by embryos of varying quality and from patients of varying age.
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