Are cytokines and growth factors responsible for the detrimental effects of hydrosalpingeal fluid on pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer?
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the secretion of cytokines and growth factors in hydrosalpingeal fluid.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
Hospital-based infertility practice.


METHODS
Ten infertile women who underwent laparoscopic aspiration of their hydrosalpingeal fluid before salpingectomy or neosalpingostomy.


METHODS
Samples were cryopreserved, then thawed and centrifuged to remove cellular debris.


METHODS
The supernatants were analyzed for the presence of human interferon-gamma, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by quantitative enzyme immunoassay kits.


RESULTS
Interferon-gamma and transforming growth factor-beta2 were not detected in any of the hydrosalpingeal fluid samples. Epidermal growth factor was present in 5 of 10 hydrosalpingeal fluid samples, with a mean (+/- SE) concentration of 26.7+/-11.4 pg/mL. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was detected in 7 of 10 samples, with a mean (+/- SE) concentration of 6.2+/-3.6 pg/mL. Three of the 10 samples contained both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor.


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, we described the absence of interferon-gamma and transforming growth factor-beta2, and the presence of epidermal growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human hydrosalpingeal fluid. Because the fundamental role of the human fallopian tube is secretory in nature, the alteration in substances secreted from the tubal epithelium that reflux into the uterine cavity may explain the deleterious effects that hydrosalpingeal fluid has on pregnancy rates after IVF-ET.
Barmat
L I
LI
Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility Center, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, Pennsylvania 19013-3995, USA. ibarmat@crozer.org
Nasti
K
K
Yang
X
X
Spandorfer
S
S
Kowalik
A
A
El-Roeiy
A
A
D001826:Body Fluids / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances