Pelvic Macrophages in Normal and Infertile Women

A recent report states that the number of macrophages in peritoneal fluid is higher in infertile women, with or without endometriosis, than it is in fertile women. Activated macrophages are postulated to affect fertility by phagocytosis or cytotoxic effects on the gamete. In the present study, which represents a portion of an ongoing study of peritoneal factors in infertility, the authors report the analysis of data assessing potential cyclic changes in pelvic fluid volume and macrophage population in normal fertile women, as compared to infertile women, including patients with endometriosis.