ROLE OF EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOCYTES IN WOMEN WITH INFERTILITY AND PELVIC ADHESIONS

Increased numbers of eosinophilic granulocytes and eosinophil degranul ation have been observed in various inflammatory conditions. Biopsies from the fallopian tubes of 28 patients were examined for the content of eosinophilic granulocytes. Peritoneal fluids (PF) from 89 patients were analyzed for the concentrations of eosinophilic granulocytes and the granule protein eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). The ECP levels in the PF were substantially elevated during genital inflammation (P < 0.001). Furthermore, one week after laparotomy for adhesiolysis there were both increased PF-ECP levels (P < 0.01) and raised concentration s of eosinophilic granulocytes (P < 0.001) when compared to the refere nce group. Staining of the biopsies with monoclonal antibodies reveale d an increased total number as well as a number of activated eosinophi lic granulocytes in specimens from adhesions and sactosalpinx compared to specimens from normal fimbriae. The findings indicate that eosinop hilic granulocytes may have a possible role in the fibrotic process of pelvic adhesion disease.