Hyaluronan in follicular fluid and embryo implantation following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the concentration of hyaluronan (HA) in follicular fluid predicts implantation success following embryo transfer. METHODS: Follicular fluids from 170 IVF patients were tested by ELISA for HA concentration. RESULTS: The mean (standard error) HA concentration in follicular fluids was 158.0 (21.9) ng/ml from women whose embryos did not implant, 220.0 (21.3) ng/ml from women in which one embryo implanted and 239.3 (40.1) ng/ml from women with 2-3 implantations (implantation vs. no implantation p = .019). The HA level was unrelated to maternal age, number of oocytes harvested or fertilized or number of embryos transferred. Follicular fluids from women with an endocrine problem had a lower mean HA level (142.0 ng/ml) as compared to women undergoing IVF due to male factor infertility (257.3 ng/ml) (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: HA in follicular fluid is decreased in women with unsuccessful implantation or with an endocrine disorder. A woman's level of HA production may influence the potential for implantation of her embryos.