Human follicular fluid from pre-ovulatory follicles in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization inhibits the in-vitro growth of gram-positive micro-organisms.

In this study, we assessed the antibacterial activity of human follicular fluid obtained from patients undergoing oocyte aspiration for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms and Candida albicans were added to the follicular fluid and broth cultures which served as controls. Follicular fluid was shown to be inhibitory against Gram-positive microorganisms; this inhibition was probably due to lysosyme and progesterone. Growth of Gram-negative micro-organisms and C. albicans were, however, supported by follicular fluid incubation.