Interleukin 6, interleukin 1β, estradiol and testosterone concentrations in serum and follicular fluid of females with stimulated and non-stimulated ovaries

Abstract

The ovarian physiology is regulated by some complex factors such as hormones and growth factors. The hormones and growth factors are synthesized by follicular and ovarian cells during follicular maturation stage and cytokines are synthesized by the immune system. Interaction between immune and endocrine systems modulates ovarian function through the secretion of regulatory soluble factors, especially cytokines. There is a close contact between corona-cumulus-oocyte complex with follicular fluid which affects the quality and degree of oocyte maturation. The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β, estradiol and testosterone concentration in serum and follicular fluid of women with stimulated and non-stimulated ovaries. A total of 41 women, 27 in stimulated and 14 non-stimulated cycles, undergoing intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment were included in this study. Follicular fluid and serum samples from all cases were collected at the time of oocyte retrieval and concentration of testosterone, estradiol, interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β were measured. The results show that serum concentration of testosterone was significantly higher in non stimulated cases. Also, the serum and follicular fluid concentrations of interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β in stimulated cases were significantly higher than non stimulated group. There was an important negative correlation between the level of testosterone in patient's serum and IL-6 and IL-1β levels of follicular fluid. In conclusion, according to these results, it seems that the levels of testosterone and IL-6 and IL-1β in patient's serum and follicular fluid are a good factor for prediction of maturity of oocytes.

Key words: Oocyte maturation, follicular fluid, interleukin 6, interleukin 1β, testosterone, estradiol.