NK Cells And Activation In Follicular Fluid With IVF Treatment Outcome

ObjectiveTo investigate the proportion of follicular fluid CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells, and to provide a evidence for improving the clinical pregnancy rate in IVF treatment.MethodThis study included 30 married couples who underwent the IVF treatment at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,"Shengjing" Hospital of China Medical University (CMU),Shenyang, China. The ages of female patients was under 35 years. Infertility in the 30 female patients of our study group was caused by simple tubal factor or male factor. They had no history of miscarriage or immune diseases, didn't take any hormone agents in the last three months, and with normal basal serum level of FSH, LH, estradiol (E2) and prolactin. After regular long protocol, the fluid of the first and second follicle was collected, excluding the empty follicle and the fluid with blood. Triple color flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells in mature follicular fluid.ResultsThe proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells in mature follicular fluid of women who got pregnancy by IVF treatment is 18.80±2.75% and 1.60±0.75%, , while women who didn't get pregnancy is 37.39±5.82% and 4.73±1.88%,, which is significantly higher than pregnant group. (P<0.05)Conclusion:The lower proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells in mature follicular fluid of women who received IVF treatment is easier to get pregnancy. An altered NK cells profile in FF could therefore influence fertility in IVF treatment outcome.