Gonadotropins induce the release of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha from the human preovulatory follicle.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of exogenous gonadotropin administration and steroid levels on the release of various cytokines into the human follicular fluid (FF) were studied.


METHODS
Forty patients were included in two groups, those undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) (n = 33) and natural cycles (n = 7). FF transvaginal aspirations were performed 36 hr after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin or a spontaneous surge of luteinizing hormone, respectively. FF cytokine measurements were performed with sensitive immunoassays.


RESULTS
FF cytokine levels were higher after COH [interleukin (IL)-1 beta, 6.6 +/- 0.32 pg/ml; IL-6, 18.7 +/- 2.1 pg/ml; and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, 32.5 +/- 4.9 pg/ml] than in natural unstimulated cycles (0.52 +/- 0.1 pg/ml, P < 0.001; 8.9 +/- 1.2 pg/ml, P < 0.01; and 13.2 +/- 2.6 pg/ml, P < 0.001, respectively). FF estradiol (E2) and progesterone levels were not statistically different between groups, despite the higher serum E2 levels observed in patients after COH.


CONCLUSIONS
Gonadotropins might regulate ovarian secretion of cytokines, because FF IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels after COH were higher than during natural cycles.
Loret de Mola
J R
JR
Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Goldfarb
J M
JM
Hecht
B R
BR
Baumgardner
G P
GP
Babbo
C J
CJ
Friedlander
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006062:Gonadotropins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone