IN-VITRO SPERM PHAGOCYTOSIS BY HUMAN PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES IN ENDOMETRIOSIS-ASSOCIATED INFERTILITY

PROBLEM: The mechanism of infertility in women with endometriosis rema ins obscure. In this context the role of peritoneal macrophage's sperm phagocytic ability in infertile women with and without endometriosis was investigated. METHOD: Analysis of peritoneal macrophage concentrat ion and in vitro sperm phagocytosis in 10 infertile women with endomet riosis and 10 infertile women without endometriosis was carried out. R ESULTS: It was observed that infertile women with endometriosis are as sociated with higher concentration and higher sperm phagocytic activit y of peritoneal macrophages than those without endometriosis. CONCLUSI ON: Despite the small number of women in this study, it may be conclud ed that the increased number of peritoneal macrophages coupled with en hanced in vitro sperm phagocytosis may disturb fertilization and there by cause infertility.