title: Is granulocyte colony-stimulating factor level predictive for human IVF outcome?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in human reproduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a total sample of 93 patients, we analysed in group 1 (n = 82) the level of G-CSF and estradiol (E(2)) in serum and follicular fluid (FF) on day of follicular puncture (FP). Furthermore, in response to ovarian stimulation, G-CSF levels in serum were compared between low (n = 11), moderate (n = 53) and high (n = 18) response patients. In group 2 (n = 23) serum for G-CSF assessment was collected throughout menstrual cycle until gestation. Group 3 (n = 11) patients with endometriosis were assessed for G-CSF in serum and FF on day of FP without further differentiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  G-CSF in FF was higher than in serum (P < 0.01). G-CSF in serum increased from low through moderate to high response (P < 0.001); pregnancy rates were 0, 24.5 and 33.5% respectively. G-CSF in serum increased throughout stimulation, reached a peak with ovulation induction (P = 0.01) and decreased until embryo transfer (P=0.001). G-CSF level only in pregnant patients (n = 11) increased from embryo transfer to implantation to gestation (P = 0.005). In endometriosis patients G-CSF in serum and FF was lower than in non-endometriosis patients (P < or = 0.03) and corresponded with low response patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  G-CSF is involved in follicle development and may be a predictor of IVF outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Kiel, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. asalmassi@email.uni-kiel.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salmassi
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Schmutzler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hedderich
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jonat
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mettler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood; D009865:Oocytes; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism; D010060:Ovulation / Q000378:metabolism; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone