Original Article Paraoxonase 3 Activity and The Ratio of Antioxidant to Peroxidation in The Follicular Fluid of Infertile Women

Background: Paraoxonase-3 (PON3), as a high density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated lac-tonase, is capable of preventing the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL). PON3 activity in follicular fluid (FF) is three times more than its activity in serum. However, the detailed role of PON3 in women’s fertility remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between PON3 activity in the FF of women undergoing assisted repro-ductive technique (ART), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 50 women from couples with male factor infertility (MFI) or with female factor infertility (FFI). The FF samples were obtained during the ART intervention. PON3 activity, HDL cholesterol (HDL C), total antioxi-dant status (TAS) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. The morphology of the embryo was determined using embryo cell number (ECN) and embryo fragmentation score (EFS). In addition, fertilization rate (FR) was used an oocyte fertilization index. Results: Of 50 women, 20 women belonged to FFI group and the remaining 30 women belonged to MFI group. PON3 activity in FF of women in FFI group was significantl