Abstract
The ovarian physiology is regulated by some complex factors such as hormones and growth factors. The hormones and growth factors are synthesized by follicular and ovarian cells during follicular maturation stage and cytokines are synthesized by the immune system. Interaction between immune and endocrine systems modulates ovarian function through the secretion of regulatory soluble factors, especially cytokines. There is a close contact between corona-cumulus-oocyte complex with follicular fluid which affects the quality and degree of oocyte maturation. The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1b, estradiol and testosterone concentration in serum and follicular fluid of women with stimulated and non-stimulated ovaries. A total of 41 women, 27 in stimulated and 14 non-stimulated cycles, undergoing intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment were included in this study. Follicular fluid and serum samples from all cases were collected at the time of oocyte retrieval and concentration of testosterone, estradiol, interleukin 6 and interleukin 1b were measured. The results show that serum concentration of testosterone was significantly higher in non stimulated cases. Also, the serum and follicular fluidconcentrations of interleukin 6 and interleukin 1b in stimulated cases were significantly higher than non stimulated group. There was an important negative correlation between the level of testosterone in patient's serum and IL-6 and IL-1blevels of follicular fluid. In conclusion, according to these results, it seems that the levels of testosterone and IL-6 and IL-1b in patient's serum and follicular fluid are a good factor for prediction of maturity of oocytes. Key words: Oocyte maturation, follicular fluid, interleukin 6, interleukin 1b, testosterone, estradiol.
Highlights
A complex of hormones, growth factors and cytokines regulates the ovarian function
There was an important negative correlation between the level of testosterone in patient's serum and IL-6 and IL-1β levels of follicular fluid. According to these results, it seems that the levels of testosterone and IL-6 and IL-1β in patient's serum and follicular fluid are a good factor for prediction of maturity of oocytes
The statistical analysis of our results showed that serum concentration of testosterone in non stimulated cases was significantly higher than that of stimulated patients
Summary
A complex of hormones, growth factors and cytokines regulates the ovarian function. The interaction between immune and endocrine systems is triggered by the action of immune cells within the ovary. The immune cells have been suggested to play an important role in ovarian physiology They are a source of cytokines and growth factors within the ovary at various stages of follicular development (Brannstrom and Norman, 1993). In the pre-ovulatory stage, several kinds of leukocytes and cytokines seem to act synergistically to promote rupture of the follicle and change the ruptured follicle into a corpus luteum (Brannstrom and Norman, 1993; Ziltener et al, 1993; Hammadeh et al, 2002) They mediate ovarian functions during the Sheikh et al 9411 process of ovulation (Adashi, 1992; Barak et al, 1992; Hurwitz et al, 1991; Machelon et al, 1995)
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