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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 20(3)

Theoretical investigation into the dissolved oxygen levels in follicular fluid of the developing human follicle using mathematical modelling

Gabe P. Redding A C , John E. Bronlund A and Alan L. Hart B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute of Technology and Engineering, Private Bag 11222, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

B Food and Health, AgResearch Grasslands, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

C Corresponding author. Email: g.p.redding@massey.ac.nz

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 20(3) 408-417 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD07190
Submitted: 12 October 2007  Accepted: 16 December 2007   Published: 11 March 2008

Abstract

Oxygen levels in the follicle are likely to be critical to follicle development. However, a quantitative description of oxygen levels in the follicle is lacking. Mathematical modelling was used to predict the dissolved oxygen levels in the follicular fluid of the developing human follicle. The model predictions showed that follicular fluid dissolved oxygen levels are highly variable among follicles, due to the unique geometry of individual follicles. More generally, predictions showed that oxygen levels in follicular fluid increase rapidly during the initial early antral stages of follicle growth before peaking in the later early antral phase. Follicular fluid dissolved oxygen levels then decline through to the beginning of the pre-ovulatory phase, from which they increase through to ovulation. Based on the best available parameter estimates, the model predictions suggest that the mean dissolved oxygen levels in human follicular fluid during the late antral and pre-ovulatory phases range between 11 and 51 mmHg (~1.5–6.7 vol%). These predictions suggest that the human ovarian follicle is a low-oxygen environment that is often challenged by hypoxia, and are in agreement with only some published data on follicular fluid oxygen levels. Predictions are discussed in relation to follicle health and oocyte culture.


Acknowledgements

The work reported here was funded as part of the contract C10X0204, ‘Advanced Tools for the Problem of Infertility in Women’, awarded to AgResearch by the New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology.


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