Korrelation von Fetuin-B mit der systemischen Immunmodulation in Kinderwunsch-Patientinnen

In Germany, nearly one in ten couples aged 25 to 45 who wish to have children remain childless. Infertility causes can lie with either the man or the woman. There is no clear definition yet on how to predict success for women undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) -treatment. Evidence suggests that metabolic disorders and associated inflammatory conditions may negatively impact egg quality in ART, but research is insufficient. Fetuin-B, a liver protein, plays a role in sperm binding to the zona pellucida in mice and is discussed as an acute-phase protein in metabolic-inflammatory contexts. This study aimed to explore the relationship between metabolic imbalances, systemic inflammation, and egg quality in ART, focusing on whether markers like Fetuin-B could predict treatment success. The study included 56 women treated for infertility at the University Hospital Aachen. Blood samples were taken twice: two days before ovulation induction (t1) and on the day of embryo transfer (t2). The gene expression of inflammasomes (NLRP2, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2) was analyzed via real-time PCR, and serum Fetuin-B levels were measured with ELISA. Additional inflammatory and metabolic parameters were measured in the hospital’s central lab. Egg maturation and fertilization rates were used as fertility indicators. The results showed no correlation between Fetuin-B levels and egg maturation or fertilization rates. However, the total number of eggs retrieved was significantly correlated with Fetuin-B at both time points [t1: p = 0.02, t2: p = 0.0008]. Women with an egg maturation of 100% (MII oocytes/ total oocytes) had significantly lower NLRC4 expression compared to those with less than 70% [p = 0.02]. Significant correlations were found between Fetuin-B, CRP, leukocyte counts, HOMA index, and triglycerides. Despite the moderate sample size, this study highlights some expected interactions between inflammation, metabolism, and egg quality. While Fetuin-B did not correlate directly with treatment success, lowering BMI and treating metabolic imbalances before ART-treatments remain advisable. The link between NLRC4 expression and egg maturation suggests future research opportunities.