Circulating concentration of stem cell factor in serum of stimulated IVF patients

Stem cell factor (SCF) plays a major role in haematopoiesis and spermatogenesis, and possibly female fertility. This study investigated the role of changes in SCF concentrations in 74 assisted conception patients. In group 1 (n = 74) SCF concentration was assessed in serum and follicular fluid (FF) on the day of follicular puncture (FP) and compared in serum and FF in response to ovarian stimulation between low (n = 25), moderate (n = 26) and high (n = 14) responders. In group 2 (n = 30) serum for SCF assessment was collected throughout the menstrual cycle until gestation. SCF concentration related to the number of follicles in serum and in FF decreased from low to moderate and high responders (P < 0.001); pregnancy rates were 20.0%, 34.6% and 50.1%, respectively (P = 0.05). SCF in serum increased from stimulation days 6–8 to 9–11 and peaked on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin injection (P = 0.03). The SCF concentrations dropped slightly on the day of FP, increased significantly to the day of pregnancy confirmation and reached highest concentration (P = 0.02) during gestation. SCF is involved in follicle development and may be a predictor of IVF outcome.Stem cell factor (SCF) plays a major role in sperm development, and possibly female fertility. We investigated the role of changes in SCF concentrations in 74 assisted conception patients. In group 1 (n = 74) we analysed SCF concentrations in serum and follicular fluid (FF) on the day of follicular puncture (FP). In response to ovarian stimulation, SCF concentrations in serum and in FF were compared between low (n = 25), moderate (n = 26) and high (n = 14) responders. In group 2 (n = 30) serum for SCF assessment was collected throughout the menstrual cycle until gestation. The concentration of SCF related to the number of follicles (f) in serum and in FF decreased from low to moderate and high responders (P < 0.001); pregnancy rates were 20.0%, 34.6% and 50.1% respectively (P = 0.05). SCF in serum increased gradually from stimulation days 6–8 to 9–11 and reached a peak on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin injection (P = 0.03). On the day of FP, the SCF concentrations dropped slightly. From the day of FP to the day of confirmation of pregnancy, the SCF concentrations increased significantly and reached their highest concentration (P = 0.02) during gestation. We conclude that SCF is involved in follicle development and may be a predictor of IVF outcome.