Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2003 Apr;46(4):802-809.

Clinical Efficacy of Serum Insulin-like Growth Factor- I (IGF-I), IGF-II, and IGF Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in Predicting the Prognosis of In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

• Kim SH
• Ku SY
• Jee BC
• Suh CS
• Choi YM
• Kim JG
• Moon SY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in predicting the prognosis of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In 84 patients undergoing IVF-ET, serum levels of IGF-I , IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were measured using immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) before the gonadotropin administration and on the hCG day of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Serum levels of IGFs and IGFBP-3, and the outcomes of IVF-ET were retrospectively analyzed and compared between the pregnant (n=18) and nonpregnant (n=66) groups.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the outcomes of COH such as total dosage of gonadotropins used, duration of COH, serum estradiol (E2) level on the hCG day, numbers of oocytes retrieved and fertilized, and number of embryos transferred between the pregnant and nonpregnant groups. No differences were found in serum levels of IGF- I , IGF-II, and IGFBP-3, and their ratios before the gonadotropin administration and on the hCG day of COH. Basal serum level of IGF-II was lower with the borderline significance in the pregnant group (796.9+/-159.6 vs. 908.9+/-338.9 ng/ml, p=0.056). The ratio of change in IGF-I to that of IGF-II was significantly higher in the pregnant group (0.066+/-0.489 vs. -0.582+/-2.091, p=0.045).
CONCLUSION
Even though basal serum level of IGF-II was lower and the ratio of changes in IGF-I to IGF-II was higher in the pregnant group, serum levels of IGF-I , IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 do not seem to predict the prognosis of IVF-ET. Further investigations are necessary in a larger group of patients to elucidate the clinical efficacy of serum IGFs and IGFBPs levels in predicting the prognosis of IVF-ET.

Keyword

IVF-ET; Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH); Insulin-like growth factor- I (IGF-I); Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II); Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3)

MeSH Terms

Embryo Transfer*
Embryonic Structures*
Estradiol
Fertilization in Vitro*
Gonadotropins
Humans
Immunoradiometric Assay
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II*
Oocytes
Prognosis*
Retrospective Studies
Estradiol
Gonadotropins
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II