The correlation of interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor to oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels in periovulatory follicular fluid of in-vitro fertilization patients.
Data has accumulated suggesting reciprocity between cytokines and the reproductive system. The present study was performed in order to evaluate the correlation between interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) concentrations in follicular fluid and its oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels. A total of 39 follicular fluid samples, from eight patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were evaluated. All of the patients were treated by a midluteal (long) protocol involving a gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) coupled with follicular phase human menopausal gonadotrophin. Mean levels in follicular fluid of IL-1, TNF, oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone were 1.58 +/- 0.42 fmol/0.1 ml, 4.69 +/- 4.18 pg/ml, 28.5 +/- 58.1 ng/ml, 2360.5 +/- 2846.3 ng/ml and 7.22 +/- 7.08 ng/ml respectively. There was a significant (P less than 0.01) positive correlation between IL-1 and progesterone levels. There was no significant correlation between the different lymphokines and oestradiol secretion, oocyte fertilization, embryo quality and pregnancy rates. It is concluded that IL-1 and TNF exist in follicular fluid. It may be hypothesized that IL-1 has a local regulatory action, possibly promoting luteinization.
Barak
V
V
Department of Oncology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Centre, Jerusalem, Israel.
Mordel
N
N
Holzer
H
H
Zajicek
G
G
Treves
A J
AJ
Laufer
N
N
D000328:Adult; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol