Intrafollicular melatonin concentration is elevated in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and can serve as an important predictor of OHSS

Melatonin-mediated actions and circadian functions that improve implantation, fetal health and pregnancy outcome

This review summarizes data related to the potential importance of the ubiquitously functioning antioxidant, melatonin, in resisting oxidative stress and protecting against common pathophysiological disorders that accompany implantation, gestation and fetal development. Melatonin from the maternal pineal gland, but also trophoblasts in the placenta, perhaps in the mitochondria, produce this molecule as a hedge against impairment of the uteroplacental unit. We also discuss the role of circadian disruption on reproductive disorders of pregnancy. The common disorders of pregnancy, i.e., stillborn fetus, recurrent fetal loss, preeclampsia, fetal growth retardation, premature delivery, and fetal teratology are all conditions in which elevated oxidative stress plays a role and experimental supplementation with melatonin has been shown to reduce the frequency or severity of these conditions. Moreover, circadian disruption often occurs during pregnancy and has a negative impact on fetal health; conversely, melatonin has circadian rhythm synchronizing actions to overcome the consequences of chronodisruption which often appear postnatally. In view of the extensive findings supporting the ability of melatonin, an endogenously-produced and non-toxic molecule, to protect against experimental placental, fetal, and maternal pathologies, it should be given serious consideration as a supplement to forestall the disorders of pregnancy. Until recently, the collective idea was that melatonin supplements should be avoided during pregnancy. The data summarized herein suggests otherwise. The current findings coupled with the evidence, published elsewhere, showing that melatonin is highly protective of the fertilized oocyte from oxidative damage argues in favor of its use for improving pregnancy outcome generally.

Aging-Related Ovarian Failure and Infertility: Melatonin to the Rescue

Aging has a major detrimental effect on the optimal function of the ovary with changes in this organ preceding the age-related deterioration in other tissues, with the middle-aged shutdown leading to infertility. Reduced fertility and consequent inability to conceive by women in present-day societies who choose to have children later in life leads to increased frustration. Melatonin is known to have anti-aging properties related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Its higher follicular fluid levels relative to blood concentrations and its likely synthesis in the oocyte, granulosa, and luteal cells suggest that it is optimally positioned to interfere with age-associated deterioration of the ovary. Additionally, the end of the female reproductive span coincides with a significant reduction in endogenous melatonin levels. Thus, the aims are to review the literature indicating melatonin production in mitochondria of oocytes, granulosa cells, and luteal cells, identify the multiple processes underlying changes in the ovary, especially late in the cessation of the reproductive life span, summarize the physiological and molecular actions of melatonin in the maintenance of normal ovaries and in the aging ovaries, and integrate the acquired information into an explanation for considering melatonin in the treatment of age-related infertility. Use of supplemental melatonin may help preserve fertility later in life and alleviate frustration in women delaying childbearing age, reduce the necessity of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET) procedures, and help solve the progressively increasing problem of non-aging-related infertility in women throughout their reproductive life span. While additional research is needed to fully understand the effects of melatonin supplementation on potentially enhancing fertility, studies published to date suggest it may be a promising option for those struggling with infertility.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have reduced melatonin concentrations in their follicles and have mild sleep disturbances

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecologic disorder related to abnormal circadian rhythm. Therefore, we aimed to find whether the level of melatonin, a rhythm regulating hormone changed in the ovarian microenvironment in this disease.

Methods

The melatonin concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) were measured in 35 PCOS and 36 non-PCOS women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Results

The FF melatonin concentration was significantly lower in PCOS women than non-PCOS women (p = 0.045) and it was found positively correlated with serum basal FSH level (r = 0.308, p = 0.013). In IVF procedures, there was no significant difference in the fertilization rate of oocytes between the two groups, but the high-quality embryogenesis rate on the third day of the PCOS group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p = 0.042), which showed a weak positive correlation with the FF melatonin concentration (r_s = 0.240, p = 0.044). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in overall pregnancy outcome. The PSQI questionnaire showed that sleep disorders were more likely to exist in the PCOS group, though there was no significant difference.

Conclusion

The obtained results suggested PCOS women had lower melatonin concentrations in the ovarian microenvironment.

Prediction of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization using estradiol levels, collected ova, and number of follicles

Objective

Our objective was to determine whether estradiol (E2) levels (Day 3 and fold change to Day 10), antral follicle count (AFC), and number of ova collected could predict ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and culdocentesis intervention.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patient charts between January 2008 and December 2017. OHSS was defined using American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria. Predictability was evaluated by measuring the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

The cohort included 319 women (166 controls, 153 OHSS, of whom 54 had severe OHSS). The OHSS group had higher E2_Day 3 (249 ± 177 vs. 150 ± 230 ng/L), E2_FoldChange (32.2 ± 29.1 vs. 20.1 ± 23.8), AFC (18.2 ± 9.1 vs. 11.6 ± 8.3), and number of ova collected (21.1 ± 9.0 vs. 10.1 ± 6.5). E2_Day 3 (AUC = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.71–0.82), E2_FoldChange (AUC = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.65–0.77), AFC (AUC = 0.75, 95%CI: 0.70–0.81), and number of ova collected (AUC = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.81–0.89) were predictive for OHSS. All variables were predictive for culdocentesis intervention (E2_Day 3: AUC = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.55–0.70; E2_FoldChange: AUC = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.55–0.71; AFC: AUC = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.68–0.80; number of ova collected: AUC = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.75–0.85).

Conclusions

Day 3 E2 levels and number of ova collected predict patients who could develop OHSS and may require culdocentesis.