IL-6 of follicular fluid and outcome of in vitro fertilization

Abstract

The quality of an oocyte is influenced by its microenvironment, which includes cumulus cells and follicular fluid, as well as cells of the immune system and their products. The ovarian interleukins, which are secreted by the granulosa cells and other immune cells within the ovaries and follicles, regulate various functions between the cells. IL-6 is a cytokine that is present in the follicular fluid and may affect the quality of oocytes. There are some inconsistencies in the literature regarding the concentration of interleukin 6 in the follicular fluid. The main objective of this study was to examine whether the concentration of interleukin 6 in the follicular fluid affects the outcome of IVF. This study involved 83 patients who underwent IVF. Follicular fluid was used as the biological material for the analysis. Examination of the obtained follicular fluid and collection of oocytes under a stereomicroscope was performed in the embryological laboratory. The concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid was analyzed. IVF and ICSI methods were used as the fertilization methods. Pregnancy was confirmed by the positive serum β-hCG level. The software package SPSS 20 was used for statistical data processing. Analysis of the follicular fluid samples showed a correlation between the concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid and the outcome of IVF. The concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid was higher in patients with confirmed pregnancy (9.55 ± 7.47 ng/ml). Based on our results, we conclude that the concentration of IL-6 affects the outcome of IVF. If the range of IL-6 concentration is between 3,67 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, we can expect good IVF outcome with vital pregnancy.

Oxidative stress in donor mares for ovum pick-up delays embryonic development

“…Several studies have been conducted, but there is no conclusive answer regarding the role of IL-6 in oocytes and subsequent embryos. Higher concentrations of IL-6 in FF can either increase [41] or decrease [24] the pregnancy outcome in women. Supplementation of culture media with IL-6 improved fetal development of IVF-embryos in cows [42] and supported embryonic compaction, blastulation and hatching in mice [43].…”

Oxidative Stress-Related Signaling Pathways Predict Oocytes’ Fertilization In Vitro and Embryo Quality

“…In contrast, other studies have reported no correlation between IL-1β and IL-10 concentrations and the pregnancy rate [ 22 , 24 ]. Surprisingly, a recent study has even reported that the concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid is elevated in patients with confirmed pregnancy [ 31 ], thus highlighting the heterogeneity of the results in the literature. In this sense, the different stimulation protocols used during controlled ovarian stimulation may also play a role, since it has been established that gonadotrophin stimulation in IVF alters the immune cell profile in the follicular fluid and the cytokine concentrations in the follicular fluid and serum [ 32 ].…”