OBJECTIVES: The negative impact of oxidative stress (OS) on the outcome of assisted reproductive treatments (ART) measured with the level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in serum and follicular fluid is already proved. The aim of the current research was to study if physical activity-induced OS may affect the reproductive potential during ART analysing saliva samples.

METHODS: A cross sectional cohort study was carried out to analyse 8-OHdG level of saliva samples (Abcam's ELISA ab201734) and PA patterns (GPAQ, ActiGraph GT3X) of 58 infertile female patients (age: 34.6 ±5.14 years, BMI: 22.54±2.46, infertility: 47.0±28.0 months) before ART treatment.

RESULTS: Multivariate linear regression using the stepwise method was conducted. In Model 1 (R²= 0.367) the number of oocytes was influenced positively by the GPAQ-H recreation MET (F=10.994, p=0.004; B=0.005, p=0.004, B Constant=4.604). In Model 2 (R²=0.757, F=17.692, p<0.001, B Constant=1.342). Positive significant relationship was found with GPAQ-H recreational physical activity MET (B=0.004, p<0.001) and negative relationship with BMI (B= -0.167, p=0.038). In Model 3 (R²=0. 0.958, F=408.479, p<0.001), higher Very Vigorous Activity (GT3X) was accompanied with higher hCG levels (B=63.703, p=<0.001). We found significant positive correlation (Spearman’s rank correlation) between 8-OHdG and hCG level (R=0.467, p=0.028). The results showed significant differences in 8-OHdG in chemical pregnancies with Mann-Whitney U test (pregnant: 54.82±35.56 ng/mL, non-pregnant: 30.06±10,40 ng/mL, p=0.022). However, no correlation could be found between the domains and intensity of PA and the level of OS.

CONCLUSIONS: Pre-treatment PA could positively influence reproductive performance. OS had an important contribution to the reproductive potential in ART. However, the ideal biomarkers of outcome measures need to be further explored. Acknowledgment: This research was supported by the ÚNKP-19-3-III-PTE-367 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry of Human Capacities.