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Updated: Jan 26, 2026
Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: October 24, 2025
Concentration of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) in the follicular fluid is associated with blastocyst
Akemi Nishigaki1, Tomoko Tsuzuki-Nakao1, Takeharu Kido1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Kansai Medical University Hirakata Osaka Japan.
Purpose:
To study the association between stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in individual human ovarian follicles and IVF outcomes.
Methods:
Concentrations of SDF-1 and VEGF in 261 follicular fluid samples were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IVF outcome parameters were included in fertilization rate, cleavage rate, embryo morphology on day 3, and blastocyst morphology on day 5.
Results:
The follicular concentration of SDF-1 and VEGF was not significantly associated with fertilization and cleavage outcome, and embryo morphology. The rates of full blastocysts and good-quality blastocysts were significantly higher in follicles with an SDF-1 concentration of 275-350 pg/mL than in the follicles with SDF-1 concentrations of <200 and ≥350 pg/mL (P < 0.05). The follicular concentration of VEGF was not associated with the blastocyst morphology.
Conclusion:
Our findings showed that follicular concentration of SDF-1, and not VEGF, may be a valuable biochemical marker of blastocyst development.
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