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Serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and paraoxonase-1 profiles in women with endometriosis, pcos, or unexplained infertility

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) during fertility treatment of women with endometriosis (Endo), PCOS or unexplained infertility (Unexpl).

Methods

Thirty-six patients with Endo, PCOS or Unexpl undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF or IUI were consented and their serum, on day-3 (baseline) and at the end of FSH treatment (peak), was collected and investigated for levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and PON-1. Correlations, ANOVA and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Peak serum levels of IL-6, MCP-1 and PON-1 were positively correlated to E2 peak levels. TNF-α levels were inversely correlated to estradiol levels and they were lower in patients who ultimately became pregnant when compared to non-pregnant (P < 0.05). Mean TNF-α levels were significantly higher in Unexpl group (P < 0.05). The mean levels of IL-6, and MCP-1 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in women with PCOS compared with Endo and Unexpl. No differences were found between the three clinical groups in patient’s age, BMI, Day-3 FSH, PON-1 and pregnancy outcome.

Conclusion

Circulating cytokine levels were influenced by ovarian stimulation, as demonstrated by increased levels of IL-6, MCP-1 and PON-1, and decreased level of TNF-α at the end of controlled ovarian stimulation. While evidence of relationship between circulating cytokines with mild endometriosis was not found, PCOS was associated with elevated serum IL-6 and MCP-1 but lower TNF-α concentration. Unexplained infertility was associated with elevated TNF-α level. No relationship between serum PON-1 concentration and PCOS, mild endometriosis or unexplained infertility was noted.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the staff at Central Georgia Fertility Institute, specially Cynthia Clower, RNC and Deanna Nelsen, RN, BSN, for their enthusiastic support. This work was partially supported by a faculty startup grant from the University of Massachusetts Lowell to M.G.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mercer University School of Medicine, Central Georgia Fertility Institute Macon, 4075 Elnora Dr., Macon, GA, 31210, USA

    Abdelmoneim Younis, Kristina Hawkins & William Butler

  2. Department of Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Science, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Suite 218A, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA

    Halleh Mahini & Mahdi Garelnabi

Authors
  1. Abdelmoneim Younis
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  2. Kristina Hawkins
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  3. Halleh Mahini
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  4. William Butler
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  5. Mahdi Garelnabi
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Correspondence to Abdelmoneim Younis or Mahdi Garelnabi.

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Capsule summary

The same group had higher MCP-1 levels when compared with endometriosis and unexplained groups at peak E2. Unexplained infertility was associated with elevated TNF-α level. PON-1 serum level increased after gonadotropin stimulation in all patient groups and the increased level was positively correlated with serum E2 concentration.

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Younis, A., Hawkins, K., Mahini, H. et al. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and paraoxonase-1 profiles in women with endometriosis, pcos, or unexplained infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 31, 1445–1451 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0237-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0237-9

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