Antioxidant Enzyme Levels in ICSI-Treated Patients with and without Uterine Myoma

The negative impact of the environment in which the egg cell grows affects the quality of the embryo and the time during which subsequent developmental stages are reached, which ultimately translates into the achievement of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare follicular fluid levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, the rate of embryonic development and treatment efficacy at early perimenopause, at childbearing age and in women with documented uterine myoma and the history of Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). A total of 208 patients were divided into two groups: 150 women of childbearing age (27-35 years), (including 10 females with uterine myoma and ulipristal acetate therapy, 30 untreated females) and 58 women aged 40 to 46 years. Follicular fluid levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and catalase were determined using spectrophotometry. Embryo culture was assessed every 10 minutes during continuous monitoring. We have demonstrated that the rate of embryonic development decreases with patient's age, superoxide dismutase levels in follicular fluid increase, while catalase levels decrease. SOD activity reduces the time to achieve the 4-cell stage while catalase activity delays the 5-cell stage and the blastocyst stage at early perimenopause. Uterine myomatosis does not induce changes in the follicular fluid levels of antioxidant enzymes. Ulipristal acetate enhances the ICSI efficiency, without significant effects on the rate of embryonic development or antioxidant enzyme levels.