Serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 in in vitro fertilization cycles

ObjectiveTo assess whether gonadotropin-induced changes in E2 alter serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and proinflammatory cytokines.DesignProspective collection of serum in patients undergoing IVF.SettingUniversity hospital.Patient(s)Twenty-four infertile women.Intervention(s)Serum collection at baseline, in the mid and late follicular phases, at oocyte retrieval, and in the mid and late luteal phases.Main Outcome Measure(s)Samples were assayed for sVCAM-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and E2.Result(s)The VCAM-1 was maximally suppressed in the luteal phase. Luteal sVCAM-1 levels correlated [1] positively with the patient's age, units of gonadotropins, day 3 FSH levels and [2] negatively with [a] the follicular, retrieval, and luteal E2 levels and [b] the number of preovulatory follicles and oocytes retrieved. Similar correlations were noted in the late luteal phase. Serum TNF-α reached a peak in the mid-follicular phase and a nadir in the luteal phase. The TNF-α levels at retrieval correlated [1] positively with the patient's age and [2] negatively with E2 and number of preovulatory follicles and retrieved oocytes. The IL-6 levels were suppressed in the follicular phase and correlated negatively with E2 levels.Conclusion(s)Changes in E2 levels seen during gonadotropin stimulation significantly alter VCAM-1 expression and induce changes in serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels.