Interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and growth hormone levels in human follicular fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate possible relationships of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and growth hormone (GH) with biochemical variables in human follicular fluid (FF) and selected in vitro fertilization (IVF) parameters.


METHODS
A total of 67 FF samples (n = 67 patients undergoing oocyte retrieval for IVF) was evaluated. IL-1 beta, IL-6, GH, hLH, FSH, PRL, hCG, testosterone, total protein, fibrinogen, sialic acid, alpha 1-antitrypsin, plasminogen levels, and spectrophotometric absorbance at 458 nm were analyzed for selected FF. IL-6 and GH levels of serum and FF samples were also compared (n = 23).


RESULTS
Immunoreactive levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and GH were detected in all FF samples. A positive correlation existed for IL-6 (r = 0.5069, P = 0.0161) when serum-to-FF levels were compared (concentration ratio, 1:1.857). Smaller-volume follicles (< 4 ml) were associated with high IL-1 beta levels (P = 0.0229), and an additional tendency of IL-1 beta to decrease with increasing embryo cleavage and scoring was observed. With the exception of a weak positive correlation between follicular IL-1 beta and testosterone levels (r = 0.3128, P = 0.025), no other relationship with biochemical variables or IVF parameters (etiology, e.g., endometriosis) could be implicated.


CONCLUSIONS
Substantially higher IL-6 levels occurred in FF compared to serum, thus supporting intrafollicular production. Interleukin-1 beta, IL-6, and GH levels in FF are, however, unsuitable markers for in vitro fertilization outcome.
Huyser
C
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
Fourie
F L
FL
Bosmans
E
E
Levay
P F
PF
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000592:standards; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000032:analysis; D011388:Prolactin / Q000032:analysis; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000097:blood; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000379:methods; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012794:Sialic Acids; D013739:Testosterone; D010958:Plasminogen; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid