Immunological and endocrinological studies on lymphocyte subpopulation and medical treatment for infertility in patients with endometriosis

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2003 Apr 28;202(1-2):195-9. doi: 10.1016/s0303-7207(03)00083-2.

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and subset profiles of T lymphocyte (T-cell) and macrophage in peritoneal fluid (PF) with or without endometriosis (EM). IL-6 levels in PF with EM were significantly higher than those without EM. IL-6 producing cells with EM were analyzed in each activated mature T-cell (CD3+CD69+) and macrophage (CD14+) were 0.5 and 3.5%, respectively, whereas it was mostly negative in those without EM. Cytotoxic T-cell (CD8+CD11b-) profiles in PF with EM were also quiet different from those without EM. Cellular immunity in the peripheral blood did not change during the course of IVF-ET cycles, although plasma levels of ovarian steroid hormones significantly increased comparing with that in normal ovarian cycles. Cytotoxic T-cell type 1 (Tc1) profiles might be useful predictive values in the pregnancy outcome for infertile patients with EM.

MeSH terms

  • Ascitic Fluid / cytology
  • Ascitic Fluid / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Endometriosis / complications
  • Endometriosis / immunology*
  • Endometriosis / metabolism
  • Endometriosis / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / etiology
  • Infertility, Female / immunology*
  • Infertility, Female / metabolism
  • Infertility, Female / therapy
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
  • Steroids / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-6
  • Steroids