Ovarian follicular concentration of IL-12, IL-15, IL-18 and p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to determine the presence of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-15, IL-18 and p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23 in follicular fluid from spontaneous cycles and the relation between the concentration of selected cytokines and IVF-embryo transfer outcome.


METHODS
IVF-embryo transfer and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA and MBL, Nagoya, Japan) were used.


RESULTS
Follicular fluid of women included in the IVF-embryo transfer procedure contained common p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23 (median 70.1 pg/ml), IL-15 (median 1.3 pg/ml) and IL-18 (median 38.2 pg/ml). There was a significant negative correlation between follicular fluid concentrations of IL-15 and IL-18 (R=-0.392, P=0.003). Significantly higher concentrations of common p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23 (median 79.8 pg/ml) were found in the follicular fluid taken from follicles containing oocytes, when compared with those without an oocyte (median 44.5 pg/ml, P=0.006). Patients who achieved clinical pregnancy had significantly decreased concentration of IL-15 (median 0.8 pg/ml) compared with patients without successful IVF-embryo transfer outcome (median 1.4 pg/ml, P=0.047).


CONCLUSIONS
Follicular fluid collected from spontaneous cycles contains detectable levels of p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23, IL-15 and IL-18. Increased concentrations of p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23 in follicles containing oocytes suggest an important role of this cytokine in reproduction. Possible negative value of IL-15 as a predictor of IVF-embryo transfer success remains to be determined.
Vujisic
Sanja
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Croatia. sanja_vujisic@hotmail.com
Lepej
Snjezana Zidovec
SZ
Emedi
Ivana
I
Bauman
Renato
R
Remenar
Anica
A
Tiljak
Mirjana Kujundzic
MK
D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000032:analysis*; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000032:analysis*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000032:analysis*; D053759:Interleukin-23; D053760:Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D021122:Protein Subunits
C508840:IL23A protein, human; D019409:Interleukin-15; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053759:Interleukin-23; D053760:Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; D007378:Interleukins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D018664:Interleukin-12; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone