Higher follicular fluid glycodelin levels are negatively correlated with embryonic development in assisted reproduction.

Objective: To investigate the possible effect of follicular fluid glycodelin levels on the quality of developing oocytes and subsequent embryo development.

Methods: Follicular fluid glycodelin levels of 145 patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment were analyzed and the correlation between glycodelin levels and ART outcomes were evaluated.

Results: We found that glycodelin levels were negatively correlated with the number of high quality embryos on day 3 (r=-0.20, =0.05). Additionally, higher glycodelin levels were correlated with higher FSH levels (r=0.18, p=0.04). However, glycodelin levels were not predictive for implantation (=0.67) or ongoing pregnancy rates (=0.99).

Conclusion: Glycodelin in the follicular environment might be one of the factors that influence the competence of growing oocytes and affect the quality of subsequent in vitro embryo development.