Correlation of reactive oxygen species levels with the fertilization rate after in vitro fertilization: A qualified meta-analysis

Our meta-analysis analyzed the relationship between levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and fertilization rate after in vitro fertilization (IVF), and showed a statistically significant correlation between the ROS levels and the IVF fertilization rate (estimated overall correlation −0.374 [95% CI, −0.520, −0.205]). We conclude that ROS has a statistically significant effect on the fertilization rate after IVF, and that the measurement of ROS levels in semen specimens before IVF may be useful in predicting the IVF outcome and in counseling patients.