Selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in human follicular fluid.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the follicular fluid selenium status of in vitro fertilization patients in relation to their individual characteristics and treatment outcome. A total of 135 samples of follicular fluid were collected from 112 patients during transvaginal oocyte retrieval. Selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity were measured in follicular fluid (FF) and blood serum. A selenium dependent GSHPx activity in follicular fluid has been demonstrated. Patients with unexplained infertility had significantly decreased follicular selenium levels as compared with those with tubal infertility or male factor. The mean GSHPx activity in follicles yielding oocytes which were subsequently fertilized exceeded that of the follicles with non-fertilized oocytes. Tobacco smoking resulted in significantly diminished follicular GSHPx activity. The Se/GSHPx pattern of the FF seems to be significant for the evaluation of the follicular milieu.