Oxidative Homeostasis in Follicular Fluid and Embryo Quality-A Pilot Study.

The objective of this study was to measure the different redox biomarker levels within the follicular fluid (FF) and evaluate correlations with embryo quality using the one follicle-one oocyte/embryo approach. The prospective study included 54 women (average age 34.6 ± 3.

Analysis of essential, toxic, rare earth, and noble elements in maternal and umbilical cord blood.

Progressive industrialization in recent decades has contributed to the increase of metal levels in the environment, which has a dangerous impact on human health, primarily pregnant women. In this study, we aimed to compare levels of various elements in maternal and umbilical cord (UC) plasma samples collected from 125 healthy pregnant women, conduct correlation analysis among paired plasma samples, and compare our data with other populations worldwide. The study design included the following elements: essential (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo), non-essential (Be, Al, Ni, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sb, Pb, U), rare earth (La, Pr, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er), and noble metals (Ru, Rh, Re, Pt).

Follicular and serum levels of vitamin D in women with unexplained infertility and their relationship with fertilization outcome: an observational pilot study.

Introduction: Follicular and serum vitamin D are considered potential markers of the oocyte and embryos' quality and predictors of fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study correlated vitamin D in sera and follicular fluid of women with unexplained infertility mutually and with IVF outcomes. ELISA was used for measuring vitamin D.

Human biomonitoring of essential, nonessential, rare earth, and noble elements in placental tissues.

Exposure to certain metals has been recognized as a risk factor for numerous complications in vulnerable population groups, particularly pregnant women. This investigation evaluated the levels of essential (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo) and nonessential trace metals with recognized toxicity (Be, Al, Ti, V, Ni, Ga, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Hg, Pb, Bi, Th, U), together with rare earth elements (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu), and noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Ag) in the placental tissues of healthy pregnant women (n = 105). The selection of participants was undertaken with special reference to specific confounding factors that could influence the trace element profiles.