RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA AND SEX STEROID CONCENTRATIONS IN THE FOLLICULAR-FLUID OF WOMEN WITH IMMUNOLOGICAL INFERTILITY

Experimental evidence suggests a tight relationship between cytokines and the reproductive system, Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), a cytokine produced by activated macrophages and mesenchymal cells, s eems to participate in the control of fertility, Therefore, the presen t study was undertaken to evaluate the concentrations of TNF alpha in the follicular fluid of female patients with immunological infertility , as well as the possible role of this cytokine in follicular developm ent, Concentrations of TNF alpha, 17 beta-oestradiol, progesterone, an drostenedione and testosterone were measured in the follicular fluid o f patients with immunological infertility and patients with a tubal fa ctor of infertility, who served as a control group, Patients with immu nological infertility had significantly higher concentrations of TNF a lpha in their follicular fluid compared to the control group, In contr ast, oestradiol concentrations were significantly lower in the former group. The intrafollicular concentrations of the other steroids measur ed did not differ significantly between the two groups, The fertilizat ion rate of ova from follicles included in the study was significantly lower in patients with immunological infertility compared to control subjects (19.1 and 57.1% respectively). In conclusion, this study show s that patients with infertility of immunological origin have increase d follicular fluid concentrations of TNF alpha and lower oestradiol co ncentrations, We speculate that elevated TNF alpha concentrations in t he human follicle may negatively influence both ovulation- and fertili zation-related events.