title: Chlamydial infection, plasma peroxidation and obesity in tubal infertility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genital tract infections and obesity are both sources of oxidative stress. Alterations in immune and antioxidant parameters may arise from this or from an indeterminate autoimmune mechanism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the association of Chlamydial infection, obesity and oxidative response with tubal infertility in Nigerian women.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a case-control study of 40 women with tubal infertility and 32 fertile women, respectively, recruited from the Infertility and Family Planning Clinics respectively, of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Anthropometric indices were measured in each subject and endocervical swabs were taken to screen for current genital tract infection. Antioxidant, hormonal and immunologic analysis were performed on serum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the subjects had current genital tract infections. Chlamydia trachomatis IgG positivity was significantly higher in infertile than in fertile subjects [OR 4.33; 95%CI (0.078-0.681)]. No significant variations were observed in the anthropometric indices, antioxidant parameters and hormones between infertile and the fertile women. Body mass index correlated positively with oxidative stress in infertile subjects. Waist and hip circumferences correlated negatively with oestradiol in women with tubal infertility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chlamydial infection is associated with tubal factor infertility, however, obesity seems to increase oxidative stress and reduce fertility potential in women with tubal factor infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nsonwu-Anyanwu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Charles-Davies
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oni
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
authors.forename: V O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Taiwo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bello
keywords: Chlamydia.; Tubal infertility; obesity; oxidative stress