The Presence Of TNF-α And IFN-γ In Human Follicular Fluid And Their Relationship With The Apoptosis Of Granulose Cells

ObjectiveThis study was designed to investigate the presence of tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and interferon-gamma(IFN-γ) in human follicular fluid collected from in vitro fertilization-embryo transplantation patients,as well as the apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells collected from the same type of follicles.In addition,the study aimed to determine whether TNF-αand IFN-γaffect the result of the pregency rate,and whether they stimulate the apoptosis of granulosa cells.MethodsThis study included 57 married females who underwent the IVF treatment at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University(CMU),Shenyang,China.The female patients were under 35 years old. They had no history of miscarriage or immune diseases,or take any hormone agents in the last three months,and with normal basal serum level of FSH.The infertility pathogeny of the patients was caused by simple tubal factor or male factor.After regular long protocol,the follicular fluid and the guanulosa cells of the first and second follicle were collected.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the concentration of TNF-αand IFN-γin mature follicular fluid.TUNEL was used to measure the the apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells.ResultsThe concentration of TNF-α,IFN-γand the apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells in human follicular fluid of women,who got pregnancy by IVF treatment,were 90.66±13.4pg/ml,50.7±5.45pg/ml and 0.13±0.06 respectively;while women who didn't get pregnancy were 101.14±28.36 pg/ml,51.67±3.35 pg/ml and 0.175±0.11 respectively.But the results were not significantly higher than pregnant group(P>0.05). The correlation coefficient between the TNF-αand the apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells is 0.314,but without statistical significance,and IFN-γhas no relationship with the apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells.ConclusionThe lower concentration of IFN-γ,TNF-αcells and the lower express of the apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells,in mature follicular fluid of women,who received IVF treatment,were easier to get pregnancy,but without statistical significance. Besides,the research found that TNF-αhas the positive correlation with the apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells,but without statistical significance,and IFN-γhas no correlation with the apoptosis rate of the granulosa cells.