Dielectric properties of human ovary follicular fluid at 9.2 GHz

The influence of the follicle size, rapid freezing to −196 °С and cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen within a period of one month of the human ovary follicular fluid (FF) on its dielectric properties is studied by the microwave dielectric method. The FF was obtained from dominant follicles of patients who received treatment for infertility by extracorporal fertilization. We have measured the real part (ε′) of the complex permittivity of the native and frozen follicular fluids at the room temperature. A resonator type ultra high frequency (UHF) dielectrometer at the frequency of 9.2 GHz has been used. We have also obtained the values of the total protein, hormones and glucose concentration in the FF. It was found that rapid freezing reduces ε′ of the FF. It can result from the bound water increase in the system. It was also found the rise in permittivity and the total protein concentration with the increase of a follicle size, which could be explained by protein dehydration as a result of its clustering and aggregation.