The role of biological markers in predicting infertility associated with non-obstructive endometriosis

Our study evaluates if the use of biological markers can predict the infertility in women with non-obstructive endometriosis.

Two prospective, non-randomised studies were conducted to identify if CA-125, IL-6 and IL-8 can be used as predictive markers for infertility in women with non-obstructive endometriosis. Peripheral levels of CA-125, IL-6 and IL-8 were measured before laparoscopy in all patients.

We found a total number of 152 patients with non-obstructive endometriosis, we divided them in two groups: fertile and infertile women. There was a statistically significant difference of the mean of CA-125 values between the two groups (p = 0.00). The patients with infertility had a significantly higher IL-6 serum values than the fertile patients (p = 0.00). Regarding the IL-8 serum values, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups fertile vs infertile, (p = 0.06).

The elevated serum levels of CA-125 and IL-6 was associated with an increased probability of being diagnosed with infertility. The IL-8 had no value in predicting infertility associated with non-obstructive endometriosis.