Follicular fluid high density lipoprotein-associated micronutrient levels are associated with embryo fragmentation during IVF

PURPOSE: To investigate whether follicular fluid lipid-soluble micronutrients are associated with embryo morphology parameters during IVF. METHODS: Follicle fluid and oocytes were obtained prospectively from 81 women. Embryo morphology parameters were used as surrogate markers of oocyte health. HDL lipids and lipid-soluble micronutrients were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Non-parametric bi-variate analysis and multivariable ordinal logistic regression models were employed to examine associations between biochemical and embryo morphology parameters. RESULTS: Follicular fluid HDL cholesterol (r = -0.47, p < 0.01), alpha-tocopherol (r = -0.41, p < 0.01), delta-tocopherol (r = -0.38, p < 0.05) and beta-cryptoxanthine (r = -0.42, p < 0.01) are negatively correlated with embryo fragmentation. Ordinal logistic regression models indicate that a 0.1 mumol/L increase in beta-cryptoxanthine, adjusted for gamma-tocopherol, is associated with a 75% decrease in the cumulative odds of higher embryo fragmentation (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Follicular fluid HDL micronutrients may play an important role in the development of the human oocyte as evident by embryo fragmentation during IVF.