The effect of age on carboxymethyl lysine (CML) which is an advanced glycation end product (AGE) in cumulus cells of In Vitro fertilization (IVF) patients, and comparison of IVF results of patients

Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in infertility, one of today's serious problems. It has been shown in previous studies that OS may negatively affect oocyte quality and pregnancy. In this thesis study, we suggested that carboxymethyl lysine (CML) expression, which is an indicator of the presence of OS, may correlate with age and affect in vitro fertilization (IVF) success. We aimed to show the age-related change of CML expression in cumulus cells and correlate the results with IVF success. 60 patients were included in our study and two groups were created: young patients (age 18-35, n=30) and elderly patients (age 35-42, n=30). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and PAP staining were performed for morphological evaluation. CML immunocytochemistry staining was performed to observe the expression of CML in the cells. CML expression in cumulus cells was analyzed for the first time by ELISA. IVF successes were evaluated in both groups. Results between groups were compared with student-t test. The results obtained showed that the structure and integrity of the cells were preserved in both groups with H&E and PAP staining. As a result of CML immunocytochemistry staining, the presence of CML in the cells was detected. However, no difference was observed in CML expression between groups. ELISA results showed CML expression in the groups. However, no significant difference was observed in CML expressions between the groups. When the IVF successes of the patients were compared, the numbers of collected oocytes, metaphase II (MII) oocytes, fertilized oocytes and developing embryos were found to be significantly higher in young patients than in older patients. As a result of this study, it was seen that CML expression did not correlate with age. It was concluded that there is a negative correlation between maternal age and IVF success, but this cannot be associated with CML. We think that this study shows that more studies are needed to understand the effect of maternal age and oxidative stress on IVF success.