Effect of Follicular Fluid Oxidative Stress on Meiotic Spindle Formation in Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Background: The effect of follicular fluid (FF) oxidative stress (OS) on meiotic spindle (MS) formation in oocytes and subsequent outcome in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are evaluated in this study. Methods: 326 oocytes from 35 PCOS women (group A) and 208 oocytes from 32 women with tubal infertility (group B) were visualized for MS using PolScope. FF was analyzed for OS markers including reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Group A was further classified into groups A1 and A2, and group B into groups B1 and B2 depending upon the presence or absence of MS, respectively. Results: MS formation was absent in a significantly higher number of oocytes in group A compared to group B (p ≤ 0.05). OS markers were significantly higher in group A compared to group B (p ≤ 0.05). Fertilization rate, number of good quality embryos and clinical pregnancy rates were higher in group B compared to group A, though not statistically significant. FF ROS was significantly higher and TAC significantly lower in groups A2 and B2 compared to groups A1 and B1 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The presence of MS and oocyte maturation in PCOS women showed a positive correlation with low levels of OS.