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Urine cortisol concentration as a biomarker of stress is unrelated to IVF outcomes in women and men

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

Our primary objective was to assess associations between urine cortisol as a biomarker of psychological stress and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. A secondary objective was to assess associations between toxic metals and cortisol.

Methods

Urine and blood specimens were collected from 52 women and 28 male partners completing a first IVF procedure, on the day of oocyte retrieval. Urine cortisol was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were determined in blood and Cd in urine by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Results

No associations were indicated for cortisol with IVF outcomes in multivariable regression models adjusted for covariates. However, we detected positive linear associations for cortisol and urine Cd (β = 9.96, 95%CI 1.52, 21.44) and blood Hg (β = 1.44, 95%CI 0.31, 3.18). An exploratory stratified analysis suggested a potential inverse association between urine cortisol and oocyte fertilization among women with low, but not high blood Hg.

Conclusion

While limited, these preliminary data suggest that psychological stress may not play a major role in IVF outcomes, which therefore could be one less concern for couples and their clinicians. Our data also raise the possibility for toxic metals to modify associations between cortisol and IVF outcomes among women. However, these preliminary results require corroboration in an experimental animal model and confirmation in a larger, more definitive observational study.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Gloria Cheng from the UCSF for assistance in preparing and shipping biologic specimens and Dr. Richard W. Browne at the University at Buffalo, SUNY for conducting the urine creatinine analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA

    Celeste D. Butts, Michael S. Bloom, Patrick J. Parsons, Amy J. Steuerwald & Chibuzo Ilonze

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA

    Michael S. Bloom

  3. Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA

    Cheryl A. Frye & Alicia A. Walf

  4. Cognitive Science Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA

    Alicia A. Walf

  5. Laboratory of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA

    Patrick J. Parsons & Amy J. Steuerwald

  6. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Victor Y. Fujimoto

Authors
  1. Celeste D. Butts
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  2. Michael S. Bloom
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael S. Bloom.

Additional information

Capsule Psychological stress does not appear to impact in vitro fertilization outcomes, but there is a possibility for modification by exposure to toxic metals.

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Butts, C.D., Bloom, M.S., Frye, C.A. et al. Urine cortisol concentration as a biomarker of stress is unrelated to IVF outcomes in women and men. J Assist Reprod Genet 31, 1647–1653 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0359-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0359-0

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