Concentration of Interleukin-12 in the peritoneal fluid is not influenced by the presence of endometriosis, its stage or the phase of the menstrual cycle

Background. IL-12 is a key immunomodulatory cytokine. Its presence or conce ntration in peritoneal fluid is not related to the presence of endometriosi s or the stage of the disease. A study was carried out to gain insight into the role of IL-12 in the development and maintenance of endometriosis in r elation to menstrual cycle. Methods. A prospective study recruiting 64 consecutive women undergoing lap aroscopic surgery for benign gynecological indications. Peritoneal fluid wa s obtained during laparoscopy. Concentration of IL-12 was measured and corr elated to the presence of endometriosis, its stage and the phase of the men strual cycle. Result(s). Peritoneal fluid concentrations of IL-12 showed no correlation w ith the presence of endometriosis, the AFS stage of the disease or the phas e of the menstrual cycle. Conclusion(s). IL-12 is a normal constituent of peritoneal fluid in around one third of the population tested and is not involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis at any stage of the disease or the phase of the menstrual cycle.