The immune response during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle: increasing sensitivity of human monocytes to endotoxin.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that during the luteal phase of the human ovarian cycle, as compared with the follicular phase, the percentage of cytokines producing peripheral monocytes after in vitro stimulation with endotoxin is increased.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Academic research institution.


METHODS
Women with regular menstrual cycles.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected between days 6 and 9 of the menstrual cycle (follicular phase) and between days 6 and 9 of the menstrual cycle following the LH surge (luteal phase).


METHODS
Percentages of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-, interleukin (IL)-1 beta-, and IL-12-producing monocytes as well as total white blood cell (WBC) count, differential WBC counts, and plasma 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone concentrations.


RESULTS
Mean plasma 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone concentrations, percentage of TNF-alpha- and IL-1 beta-producing monocytes, WBC counts, and granulocyte cell count were significantly increased in the luteal phase as compared with the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle. The percentage of IL-12-producing monocytes, monocyte count and lymphocyte count did not vary between the 2 phases of the ovarian cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
Together with an increase in progesterone and 17 beta-estradiol during the luteal phase, there is an increase in percentage TNF-alpha- and IL-1 beta-producing peripheral monocytes after in vitro stimulation with endotoxin as compared with the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle. Whether this increased sensitivity of monocytes for proinflammatory stimuli during the luteal phase is due to increased plasma levels of progesterone or 17 beta-estradiol needs further investigation.
Bouman
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University and University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Roerdink.bouman@wxs.nl
Moes
H
H
Heineman
M J
MJ
de Leij
L F
LF
Faas
M M
MM
D000328:Adult; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000652:urine; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D004731:Endotoxins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone