Serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 in in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether gonadotropin-induced changes in E(2) alter serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and proinflammatory cytokines.


METHODS
Prospective collection of serum in patients undergoing IVF.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-four infertile women.


METHODS
Serum collection at baseline, in the mid and late follicular phases, at oocyte retrieval, and in the mid and late luteal phases.


METHODS
Samples were assayed for sVCAM-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and E(2).


RESULTS
The VCAM-1 was maximally suppressed in the luteal phase. Luteal sVCAM-1 levels correlated [1] positively with the patient's age, units of gonadotropins, day 3 FSH levels and [2] negatively with [a] the follicular, retrieval, and luteal E(2) levels and [b] the number of preovulatory follicles and oocytes retrieved. Similar correlations were noted in the late luteal phase. Serum TNF-alpha reached a peak in the mid-follicular phase and a nadir in the luteal phase. The TNF-alpha levels at retrieval correlated [1] positively with the patient's age and [2] negatively with E(2) and number of preovulatory follicles and retrieved oocytes. The IL-6 levels were suppressed in the follicular phase and correlated negatively with E(2) levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in E(2) levels seen during gonadotropin stimulation significantly alter VCAM-1 expression and induce changes in serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels.
Souter
Irene
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA. isouter@partners.org
Huang
Andy
A
Martinez-Maza
Otoniel
O
Breen
Elizabeth Crabb
EC
Decherney
Alan H
AH
Chaudhuri
Gautam
G
Nathan
Lauren
L
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics
D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone