Serum IL-6 level may have role in the pathophysiology of unexplained infertility.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 of women with unexplained infertility with fertile subjects.


METHODS
Serum IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels of 45 infertile and 44 fertile women on day 3 of menstrual cycle were assessed and compared for this prospective controlled study.


RESULTS
The mean serum IL-6 level was significantly higher in women with unexplained infertility, compared with fertile women (5.71 +/- 1.81 and 4.31 +/- 1.79, P < 0.001, Student's t-test). There was no significant difference in TNF-alpha level among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant difference in serum IL-6 levels between unexplained infertile and fertile women suggests that this cytokine may be involved in pathophysiology of unexplained infertility.
Demir
Bulent
B
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Health Ministry Ergani Goverment Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey. bulentdemirmd@hotmail.com
Guven
Suleyman
S
Guven
Emine Seda Guvendag
ES
Atamer
Yildiz
Y
Gul
Talip
T
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha