Serum Stem Cell Factor Assay in Elderly Poor Responder Patients Undergoing IVF: A New Biomarker to Customize Follicle Aspiration Cycle by Cycle. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gizzo, Salvatore; Quaranta, Michela; Andrisani, Alessandra; Bordin, Luciana; Vitagliano, Amerigo; Esposito, Federica; Venturella, Roberta; Zicchina, Cecilia; Gangemi, Michele; Noventa, Marco
• Is Part Of: Reproductive sciences. Volume 23:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: stem cell factor -- poor ovarian response -- assisted reproduction -- predictive biomarker -- ovarian stimulation protocol -- personalization of treatment -- oocyte pick up -- recombinant LH; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; 612.6
• DOI: 10.1177/1933719115594020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-7191

Abstract

In humans, stem cell factor (SCF), produced during follicular phase, may reflect a successful stimulation and oocyte maturation and so it may be a predictor of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. An observational cohort study was conducted on 37 poor responders scheduled for fresh nondonor IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment with standard controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) using recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH; S-COS group). A total of 35 women received a second treatment using both rFSH and recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH; LH-COS group). From 144 samples collected at pickup day, serum concentration of SCF (s-SCF) and follicular levels of SCF (f-SCF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. No differences were observed between the 2 protocols in terms of both f-SCF and s-SCF levels. The comparison between f-SCF and s-SCF levels showed a strong linear correlation. The comparison between s-SCF levels and clinical outcomes showed a statistically significant correlation between both the number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes retrieved and the embryos obtained after fertilization. Cases with at least 3 MII oocytes showed s-SCF values >800 pg/mL, 2 MII oocytes >600 pg/mL, and 1 MII oocytes >400 pg/mL. In 100% of cases with s-SCF <400 pg/mL, no MII oocytes were recovered. All 5 pregnancies occurred in patients with s-SCF values >1000 pg/mL. The introduction of s-SCF assay in the management of poor-responder patients may contribute to solving the dilemma of whether to cancel or proceed with the stimulation cycle.