Neutrophils and IL-12 Levels in Female Patients with Unexplained Infertility

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Immunology
• Hematology

Background:

• Infertility affects a significant portion of the reproductive-aged population worldwide.
• Unexplained infertility (UI) accounts for a substantial percentage of infertility cases, necessitating further investigation into underlying mechanisms.
• Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key cytokine involved in immune responses, particularly influencing Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, which may play a role in reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum levels of Interleukin-12 (IL-12) in women diagnosed with unexplained infertility.
• To evaluate hemogram parameters, including complete blood cell counts, in women with unexplained infertility.
• To explore potential correlations between IL-12, hemogram parameters, and unexplained infertility.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study was conducted involving 43 women with unexplained infertility and 40 healthy controls.
• Serum IL-12 levels were quantified using the sandwich ELISA method.
• Complete blood cell parameters were analyzed, and data were statistically evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Main Results:

• No significant difference was observed in serum IL-12 levels between the unexplained infertility group and the control group (p = 0.623).
• Neutrophil percentage (p = 0.017) and absolute neutrophil count (p = 0.012) were significantly higher in women with unexplained infertility compared to controls.
• No significant differences were found in sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, or total leucocyte count between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Serum IL-12 levels do not appear to be significantly altered in women with unexplained infertility.
• Elevated neutrophil percentage and absolute neutrophil count in women with unexplained infertility suggest a potential role for neutrophilic inflammation in this condition.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking neutrophil activity to unexplained infertility.