CHEMOTAXIS OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES TOWARDS HUMAN PREOVULATORYFOLLICULAR-FLUID AND SERUM USING A SPARSE-PORE POLYCARBONATE FILTRATION MEMBRANE

The chemotactic responses of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) toward s pre-ovulatory follicular fluid and serum from patients participating in an in vitro fertilization program were tested in a modified Boyden chamber using a 'sparse-pore' polycarbonate filtration membrane metho d. The chemotactic activities of follicular fluids were generally low, but were significantly higher in conceptual cycles than in non-concep tual cycles. The chemotactic activities of sera were generally high, b ut were significantly lower in conceptual cycles. The chemotactic acti vity of few follicular fluids ever exceeded that of serum, regardless of the occurrence of conception. These findings demonstrate for the fi rst time using an appropriate technique, that pre-ovulatory follicular fluids can be chemotactic for PMN, but the relationship between this activity, serum chemotactic activity and successful pregnancy is not c lear.