Low follicular fluid IL-6 levels in IVF patients are associated with increased likelihood of clinical pregnancy

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Altun T., Jindal S., Greenseid K., Shu J., Pal L.

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, vol.28, no.3, pp.245-251, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10815-010-9502-8
  • Journal Name: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.245-251
  • Keywords: Clinical pregnancy, Follicular fluid, IL-6, IVF
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Purpose: Relationships between follicular fluid levels of IL-6 with ovarian response and clinical pregnancy were evaluated in IVF-ET cycles. Methods: Follicular fluid was collected from ovarian follicles ≥∈14 mm, pooled for each patient, and IL-6 levels were assessed using ELISA (n∈=∈68). Relationships between IL-6 levels and IVF cycle parameters were assessed using nonparametric tests, and between IL-6 levels and clinical pregnancy using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Significant positive correlations were observed between IL-6 with age (p∈=∈0.035), and IL-6 with estradiol on the day of hCG (p∈=∈0.011). On adjusted analyses, IVF cycles in patients with IL-6 levels <4.0 pg/ml (median value for the group) demonstrated an almost 4-fold increase in likelihood for clinical pregnancy (p∈=∈0.045). Conclusions: Lower follicular fluid IL-6 levels in IVF patients are associated with increased likelihood of clinical pregnancy. We hypothesize that endometrial receptivity is a likely target for any deleterious influences of elevated IL-6 levels. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.