HEALTH OF WOMAN. 2017.8(124):99–104; doi 10.15574/HW.2017.124.99  

Orlova V. V., Suslikova L. V.
National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education P. L. Shupyk, Kiev

The prevalence of infertility, including tubal-peritoneal genesis, led to the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART) as the most effective treatment and achievement of the expected pregnancy. But the success of ART is about 40% and depends on many factors: genetic, immunological, hormonal, age, control ovarial stimulation, sperm quality, quantity and quality received oocytes and embryos and implantation ability of endometrium. Therefore, it is important to consider the mechanisms and factors behind the successful implantation. Particular attention is given to the study of disturbances of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the reproductive tract of infertile women.
Under the influence of adverse factors and in pathology, as a result of reducing the cell’s ability to neutralize free radicals and active forms of oxygen, antioxidant protection is disturbed, and oxidative stress develops, which promotes the onset of apoptosis. The programmed cell death occurs in the physiological functioning of the reproductive system: follicular atresia and regression of the functional layer of the endometrium when pregnancy is not occur. However, today the negative influence of oxidative stress and violation of the regulation of apoptosis on the reproductive function, namely the success of in vitro fertilization, has been confirmed. Also, the use of ART has some of the negative effects on gametes and embryos, which is accompanied by the emergence of oxidative stress and reduces the probability of pregnancy.
Melatonin is a universal hormone that plays a key role in the functioning of sex hormones and has powerful antioxidant properties. As a key antioxidant regulator As a key antioxidant regulator at the biochemical and hormonal levels, melatonin positively influences the maturation of oocytes and the preparation of the endometrium before implantation. Therefore, there is a reasonable justification for the use of melatonin during treatment with ART. Many studies are devoted to the study of the effectiveness of the use of exogenous melatonin in the treatment of infertility, but to date, the level of evidence is insufficient for use in it ART.

Key words: melatonin, infertility, oxidative stress, apoptosis, ART.

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