Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the role of follicular fluid (FF) cytokines in the peri-ovulatory 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 (TNF-α)] 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 TNF-α 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.
Keywords: cytokines, follicular fluid, pregnancy