The clinical role of interleukin-6 and interleukin-6 soluble receptor in human follicular fluids.
In order to investigate the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-6 soluble receptor (sR) in human ovulation, we evaluated the concentrations in human follicular fluid and analyzed the correlation of IL-6 and IL-6 sR with oocyte maturation. The oocytes were obtained from the follicular fluid of 45 women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-6 sR in follicular fluid were measured by ELISA. In addition, granulosa cells obtained from the follicular fluid were cultured and treated with forskolin and 12- o-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate for 24-48 h. The concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher in the follicular fluid than in the serum (P<0.01). In contrast, the concentration of IL-6 sR was significantly lower in the follicular fluid than in the serum (P<0.001). The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-6 sR were significantly higher in the follicular fluid containing mature oocytes than in fluid containing immature oocytes (P<0.05). The production of IL-6 was markedly increased over the basal level after 24 h of treatment with forskolin (P<0.001) and 48 h of treatment (P<0.01) with cultured granulosa cells. Our data suggest that IL-6 and IL-6 sR may play an important role in follicular growth and development in human preovulatory processes. It is possible that IL-6 in particular may be regulated by cAMP. IL-6 and IL-6 sR might also be valuable biochemical markers in the evaluation of oocyte maturation.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita Medical University, Oita, Japan.
F
F
Kawasaki
Y
Y
Kawano
Z
Z
Kosay Hasan
H
H
Narahara
I
I
Miyakawa
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D005576:Colforsin