SOME OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN INFERTILE WOMEN ATTENDING ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY CLINIC IN LAGOS METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Oxidative Stress influences the entire reproductive lifespan of a woman. Reactive oxygen species may act as key signaling molecules in physiological processes but at excess, uncontrolled levels may also mediate pathological processes involving the female reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate some oxidative stress markers in infertile women attending assisted reproductive technology clinic in Lagos. A total of 170 participants comprise of 140 infertile women attending assisted reproductive clinic and 30 non-pregnant fertile women (controls) were used for the study. Subjects were recruited from Omni Advanced Medical and Fertility Clinic, Lagos Island. Total antioxidant capacity was done using FRAP method, Serum lipid profile, malondialhyde, albumin and uric acid were done by colourimetric method using reagents source by randox laboratories Full blood count and CD4 cell count were done using Sysmex autoanalyzer and BDFACS Trucount machine respectively. Findings in this research showed that total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower (P<0.001) than controls, while MDA (P<0.001), Uric acid (P<0.001) and Albumin (P<0.05) were significantly higher in infertile women than controls. Serum total cholesterol (P<0.035), LDL (P<0.001) and VLDL (P<0.001) were significantly higher while HDL (P<0.001) was significantly lower in infertile women than controls. There was an insignificant difference in the level of TAG between test and controls. In conclusion, infertility may be associated with increased oxidative stress and sub-normal lipoprotein indices. It is therefore suggested that infertile women attending assisted reproductive clinics may benefit from antioxidant supplementation.