Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate concentrations of cytokines in peritoneal fluid from women with infertility and chronic infectious inflammation (CII) of reproductive system. Methods: 65 patients were included to the study: 50 patients were diagnosed with tubo-peritoneal infertility and CII of reproductive system in remission (CII was of bacterial origin); 15 patients were almost healthy age-matched woman. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IFN-γ and sVCAM-1 were measured in peritoneal fluid using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: Peritoneal fluid levels of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, MCP-1, sVCAM-1 were significantly (p<0.05) higher in patients with infertility and CII compared to control group. The most significant difference (4.52 times) was found for IFN-γ concentrations. The concentration of IL-10 was not significantly differing between the groups. Conclusions: Local inflammation and activation of immune reactions with cytokines imbalance in patients with CII of reproductive system may play a role in the pathogenesis of tubo-peritoneal infertility.

Keywords: Chronic inflammation; Cytokines; Immune response; Infertility