[Serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in infertile patients with ovarian dysfunction]

Some cytokines that take part in the ovarian cycle regulation, such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha play an important role during growth and development of ovarian follicle. Quantification of some cytokines is promissory in the work-up of ovarian reproductive pathology.

To determine serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in infertile patients with ovarian dysfunction and to compare them with those found in ovulatory patients.

We conducted a cross-sectional study in infertile patients with premature ovarian failure, diminished ovarian reserve, chronic anovulation and ovulatory patients that were well-characterized by clinical and hormonal parameters. We determined serum concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha by an ELISA method. Statistics was conducted by using one way ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis and Pearson correlation analyses.

We studied a total of forty patients. The mean age was 30 years; we did not find significant differences among groups. Overall mean of cytokines concentration was: 13.2 pg/mL for IL-1beta; 8.4 pg/mL for IL-6; and 1.5 pg/mL for TNF-alpha. We observed a significant difference in the concentration of TNF-alpha in the premature ovarian failure group when it was compared to the control group. Pearson correlation coefficients were no significant.

A wide range of dispersion of serum cytokines concentration was observed. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha in woman with premature ovarian failure were significantly lower than those in the control group. Our findings represent a precedent in the powerful utility of the quantification of these cytokines in reproductive medicine.