TGF-β_1 Levels in Follicular Fluid of Patients with Endometriosis-associated Infertility

Objective To assess the levels of transforming growth factor-1β ( TGF-1β) in follicular fluid (FF) of patients with endometriosis-associated infertility. Methods TGF-1β levels were measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)in FF samples from 35 subjects with surgically confirmed endometrio- sis and 45 controls. All FF samples were collected on the day of ovum pick-up during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycles while undergoing In vitro fertilization (IVF). The ultrasonography was per- formed to conform clinical pregnancies 4 weeks after embryo transfer. Results Levels of TGF-1β in FF of women with endometriosis-associated infertility had no significant differences compared to controls (896.2± 203.7)pg/mL versus (1005.0±305.7)pg/mL. Pregnancy rate of women with endometriosis-associated infertil- ity was significantly lower than controls (22.6% versus 37.5%, P0.001) while missed abortion rate of wom- en with endometriosis-associated infertility was significantly higher than controls (33.3% versus 6.6%, P 0.0001). Conclusions The mean concentrations of TGF-β1 in FF of patients with endometriosis-associated infertility could not be used to predict the IVF outcome.