Article
Differential expression of follicular fluid cytokines: relationship to subsequent pregnancy in IVF cycles

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of cytokines in the peri-ovulatory follicular fluid (FF) during IVF cycles. FF from 112 women was obtained during oocyte retrieval for IVF. The concentrations of five cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-13, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)] were measured in FF and their concentrations compared among women who became pregnant and those who did not. Thirty-one endometriosis patients, 15 idiopathic infertility, 21 tubal factor infertility, 15 ovarian factor infertility, and 30 patients with male factor infertility were included. Interleukin-13 and TNFα were absent in the peri-ovulatory FF of all patients. Fifty-two patients achieved pregnancy, whereas 60 did not. Both pregnant and non-pregnant groups were comparable for age, parity, ovarian stimulation parameters, fertilization rates, and embryo freezing rates. Concentrations of FF IL-1β were not significantly different between pregnant and non-pregnant cycles. Concentrations of FF IL-6 were significantly higher in pregnant compared with non-pregnant cycles (P = 0.0005). Concentrations of FF IL-12 were significantly lower in pregnant compared with non-pregnant cycles (P = 0.0002). Higher concentrations of IL-12 and lower concentrations of IL-6 in the peri-ovulatory FF are associated with a negative outcome in IVF treatment. Interleukins-12 and IL-6 are biological markers that appear to affect IVF outcome.

Section snippets

Dr Mohamed Bedaiwy graduated from Assuit School of Medicine, Egypt in 1992, where he remains on the staff. His training in obstetrics and gynaecology has taken him to several institutions in USA, notably the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio. He became expert in reproductive biology and minimally invasive surgery. Currently he is engaged on a reproductive endocrinology and IVF fellowship at the University of Toronto, Canada. Dr Bedaiwy has published extensively and has been honoured with awards

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    Dr Mohamed Bedaiwy graduated from Assuit School of Medicine, Egypt in 1992, where he remains on the staff. His training in obstetrics and gynaecology has taken him to several institutions in USA, notably the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio. He became expert in reproductive biology and minimally invasive surgery. Currently he is engaged on a reproductive endocrinology and IVF fellowship at the University of Toronto, Canada. Dr Bedaiwy has published extensively and has been honoured with awards from the Society of Reproductive Surgeons (2001), the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society (Serono In-Training Award, 2002), and the ASRM (Best Video Award, 2001–2003). His special interests include endometriosis and ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

    Presented in part at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2004, October 16–20, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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