Follicular fluid concentration of leukaemia inhibitory factor is decreased among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome during assisted reproduction cycles.
BACKGROUND
The possibility that a specific cytokine profile could be detected in the ovaries of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was investigated.


METHODS
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or bioassays were used to assess the concentrations of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), tumour necrosis factor, interleukin 11, gamma interferon, progesterone and oestradiol in follicular fluids from preovulatory follicles collected after ovarian stimulation from 15 PCOS patients, 15 infertile control patients with regular cycles, and 8 oocyte donors.


RESULTS
LIF and progesterone concentrations were significantly lower in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients (LIF median: 265 pg/ml) compared with controls (LIF median: 816 pg/ml); LIF and progesterone follicular fluid concentrations were correlated (r = 0.720, P = 0.0001). The LH/FSH ratio was negatively correlated with LIF concentrations (r = - 0.714, P = 0.0075). Although the PCOS and control patients did not differ significantly in age, ovarian reserve or IVF indication, the implantation rate was significantly lower among the women with PCOS (IR = 9 versus 21%, P = < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The specific cytokine profile of the PCOS patients is probably related to the lower implantation rate since follicular fluid LIF appears to function as an embryotrophic agent.
Lédée-Bataille
N
N
Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, 157 Rue de la Porte de Trivaux, 92140 Clamart, France. Ledeenathalie@aol.com
Laprée-Delage
G
G
Taupin
J L
JL
Dubanchet
S
S
Taieb
J
J
Moreau
J F
JF
Chaouat
G
G
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D009865:Oocytes; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014019:Tissue Donors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016207:Cytokines; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol