High copper levels in follicular fluid affect follicle development in polycystic ovary syndrome patients: Population-based and in vitro studies.

High copper levels in follicular fluid affect follicle development in polycystic ovary syndrome patients: Population-based and in vitro studies. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2019 Jan 11;: Authors: Sun Y, Wang W, Guo Y, Zheng B, Li H, Chen J, Zhang W Abstract Although the adverse effects of copper overexposure on the liver, kidney, spleen and intestinal organs are well known, information about the impact of copper toxicity on human reproduction is limited. A total of 348 infertile patients were enrolled in our present study, including 89 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 145 with fallopian tube obstruction and 114 controls. The follicular fluid concentrations of 22 trace elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Principal component analysis was used to identify trace element profile alterations in different groups. The mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related genes were measured by real-time PCR. Our results showed that the trace element profile in follicular fluid was obviously altered in PCOS patients. Copper concentrations were significantly (p < .05) higher in the PCOS group than in the other two groups. Increased copper levels in follicular fluid were associated with a higher number of retrievable oocytes in the PCOS group (B = 1.785, p = .001) but a lower rate of high-quality embryos (B = -6.360, p = .050). Moreover, follicular fluid copper levels were positively correl...
Source: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Toxicol Appl Pharmacol Source Type: research