Correlations between concentrations of interleukin-12 and interleukin-13 and lymphocyte subsets in the follicular fluid of women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate a possible correlation between interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-13 levels and lymphocyte subsets in the preovulatory follicles of patients with and without polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Controlled clinical study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Seventy-eight infertile women undergoing IVF-embryo transfer.


METHODS
The subjects underwent blood sampling, ovum retrieval, and embryo transfer.


METHODS
Follicular fluid levels of T, androstenedione (A); IL-12, IL-13, activated T cells, T helper, and T-suppressor lymphocytes.


RESULTS
The level of IL-12 detected in follicular fluid (FF) was significantly lower in patients with PCOS than in normally ovulating women (mean: 1.47 +/- 0.3 pg/mL vs. 2.25 +/- 0.7 pg/mL, respectively); in contrast, FF IL-13 concentrations were significantly higher in the patients with PCOS than in the normally ovulating women (mean: 32.5 +/- 3.7 pg/mL vs. 19.6 +/- 2.5 pg/mL, respectively), as was the total number of activated T lymphocytes (11.5% +/- 1.5% vs. 4.8% +/- 0.4%). A significant correlation was observed between FF activated T-cell concentrations and FF IL-12, IL-13, T, and A levels. No significant differences were observed when these data were compared with embryological parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows significant differences in the correlation between FF IL-12 and IL-13 levels and T lymphocyte numbers in the subset of patients with PCOS as compared to normally ovulating women.
Gallinelli
Andrea
A
Department of Gynecological, Obstetrics and Pediatric Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. gallinelli@unimo.it
Ciaccio
Ivan
I
Giannella
Luca
L
Salvatori
Michela
M
Marsella
Tiziana
T
Volpe
Annibale
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000032:analysis*; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000032:analysis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D018793:Interleukin-13; D018664:Interleukin-12