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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Z-Scores for Assessing Ovarian Reserve in Young Patients Undergoing Fertility Preservation
Published on: October 25, 2024
Comparison of oxidative stress parameters in follicular fluids between patients with unexplained infertility or
Elif Sagban Gedik1, Mustafa Can Sivas2, Ibrahim Polat3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, Kurtalan State Hospital, Siirt, Türkiye; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Objective:
To study the levels of oxidant and antioxidant parameters, including total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI), in the follicular fluid of patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) or unexplained infertility (UEI), to compare these groups, and to analyze the relationship between these parameters and antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels.
Design:
The study was planned and completed as a prospective cohort study.
Subjects:
A total of 90 patients (n [DOR] = 45 and n [UEI] = 45) aged 23-38 years, who applied to undergo in vitro fertilization treatment between February 2024 and August 2024 and were diagnosed with DOR or UEI, were included in the study. Total oxidant status and TAS levels were determined in follicle fluid obtained during oocyte retrieval via double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Exposure:
Patients categorized as having DOR or UEI.
Main Outcome Measures:
Oocyte retrieval was performed on all patients, and follicular fluid was obtained simultaneously. Total antioxidant status and TOS values were measured in the follicular fluid, and the OSI value was calculated. Total antioxidant status, TOS, and OSI values were compared between the groups. The relationship between the three parameters and AMH levels was analyzed separately in each group. To analyze the relationship between low OSI values and AMH levels, mean OSI values within the group were determined. The AMH levels of the populations above and below the mean OSI value within the same group were compared.
Results:
No significant differences in TAS, TOS, and OSI values were observed between groups. A significant positive correlation was found between TOS values and AMH levels in the DOR group. A statistically significant difference was found between AMH levels of the populations with OSI values above or below the mean in the UEI group. Antimüllerian hormone levels of the population with lower OSI values were higher. A high TOS value may not indicate that the AMH level is negatively affected. The AMH level may be negatively affected at high OSI values, indicating increased oxidative stress levels.
Conclusion:
In evaluating the relationship between the oxidant-antioxidant system and infertility, it may not be appropriate to comment on the TOS or TAS value alone. The OSI value may significantly influence the AMH level.
