In Vitro Fertilization, Levels of Pro-Inflammatory Factors and Lipid Peroxidation

BACKGROUND Infertility is a problem concerning 10-15% of the individuals in the fertile period. This study investigated effects of proinflammatory factors as well as lipid hydroperoxides (LPO) levels upon in vitro fertilization (IVF) success. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective, non-randomized, controlled clinical study, sera obtained from 26 fertile (group-1), 26 infertile women before (group-2) and after (group-3) IVF treatment were analyzed. Leptin, leptin receptor, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). LPO was determined spectrophotometrically. Mann- Whitney U test, paired samples t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test as well as Pearson correlation analysis by SPSS were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS TNF-α, resistin and LPO levels increased (P=0.020, P=0.003, P=0.001, respectively) in group-3 compared to group-2. A significant increase in LPO was noted both in group-2 and -3 compared to controls (P=0.000). LPO were higher in non-pregnants than pregnants in group-2. For pregnants, significant correlations were observed between leptin and resistin in group-2 and TNF-α and leptin in group-3. None of these correlations were found for the women, who could not conceive. CONCLUSION LPO, leptin-resistin correlation, associations with TNF-α may be helpful during the interpretation of IVF success rates.