Concentration of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) in the follicular fluid is associated with blastocyst development

PurposeTo study the association between stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in individual human ovarian follicles and IVF outcomes. MethodsConcentrations of SDF-1 and VEGF in 261 follicular fluid samples were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IVF outcome parameters were included in fertilization rate, cleavage rate, embryo morphology on day 3, and blastocyst morphology on day 5. ResultsThe follicular concentration of SDF-1 and VEGF was not significantly associated with fertilization and cleavage outcome, and embryo morphology. The rates of full blastocysts and good-quality blastocysts were significantly higher in follicles with an SDF-1 concentration of 275-350pg/mL than in the follicles with SDF-1 concentrations of <200 and 350pg/mL (P<0.05). The follicular concentration of VEGF was not associated with the blastocyst morphology. ConclusionOur findings showed that follicular concentration of SDF-1, and not VEGF, may be a valuable biochemical marker of blastocyst development.