c-peptide and Infertility--Female

Low-grade chronic inflammation, evaluated by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, has been connected with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Effects of metformin on CRP before and during IVF treatment in women with PCOS are unknown.. A prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study.. Single-center IVF clinic.. Sixty-three PCOS women.. Treatment with 2000 mg/day metformin or identical placebo tablets for at least 14 weeks before and then during IVF treatment, ending on the day of hCG injection.. The CRP levels at five time points ending on the day of ovum collection.. At inclusion of infertile untreated PCOS women, body mass index associated with CRP in multivariable regression analysis (r = 0.18). Androgen levels did not associate with CRP levels. Metformin did not influence CRP levels during pretreatment or IVF cycle. After hCG injection, CRP increased in both the metformin and the placebo groups with no significant difference between the groups.. In infertile PCOS women, CRP levels are unaffected by metformin treatment. The CRP level increases during IVF treatment, and this increase is unaffected by concomitant metformin. We observed an association between CRP levels and body mass index.

Topics: Adult; Androgens; Biomarkers; Body Mass Index; C-Peptide; C-Reactive Protein; Double-Blind Method; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Infertility, Female; Metformin; Oocyte Retrieval; Ovulation Induction; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Time Factors

To investigate the impact of predominantly upper body fat localisation on the hormonal and metabolic profile in obese, infertile women.. Prospective observational study of premenopausal women with obesity, infertility and menstrual dysfunction.. Department of Endocrinology and Reproduction of the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Heidelberg.. Eighteen women with android type obesity (waist-hip-ratio = WHR > 0.85, group 1) and 22 women with gynoid type obesity (WHR < or = 0.85, group 2) in a group of 58 premenopausal obese women (median age 28 y) with infertility. Twenty-nine women took part in a weight reducing program lasting 32 +/- 14 (mean +/- s.d.) weeks.. BMI, WHR and blood pressure. Plasma lipids and liver enzymes. Blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide and different steroid and pituitary hormones during oral glucose loading.. In the total group of 58 obese women, WHR was directly correlated to plasma triglycerides, AST, ALT and cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol-ratio. WHR correlated inversely with HDL-cholesterol. Insulin resistance was greater with increasing WHR. Systolic blood pressure, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, triglycerides, cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol-ratio, aspartate (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly greater in group 1. Group 2 had greater HDL-cholesterol levels. One subject in group 1, five women in group 2 conceived spontaneously after weight reduction.. Determination of the WHR is a simple measurement to identify obese patients who are at a greater risk of developing the metabolic syndrome. WHR is important in preventive medicine, as typical metabolic profiles are already present in young women before clinical manifestation. Women with android obesity seem to be more prone to develop menstrual irregularity and infertility. The hyperinsulinaemia may be the pathway.

Topics: Adolescent; Alanine Transaminase; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Body Constitution; Body Mass Index; C-Peptide; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Female; Hormones; Humans; Infertility, Female; Insulin; Menstruation Disturbances; Obesity; Pregnancy; Premenopause; Prospective Studies; Triglycerides

Fifteen adult female baboons were immunized with a conjugate of tetanus toxoid coupled with a synthetic carboxy-terminal peptide of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin and another 15 were immunized with tetanus toxoid. Freund's complete adjuvant was used in all immunizations. All females were placed with males of proven fertility during the third menstrual cycle after the primary immunization and those not sustaining pregnancy were mated in two additional consecutive cycles. Four pregnancies occurred following 42 matings in the conjugate-immunized group and 15 pregnancies resulted from 21 matings in the tetanus toxoid-immunized animals. Low levels of antibodies reactive to baboon chorionic gonadotropin were found in the pregnant animals in the conjugate-immunized group.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; C-Peptide; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; Female; Humans; Immunization; Infertility, Female; Male; Menstruation; Papio; Peptide Fragments; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Tetanus Toxoid