Immunomodulation in the treatment of endometriosis-associated subfertility: use of pentoxifylline to reverse the inhibition of fertilization by surgically induced endometriosis a rodent model

Steinleitner A, A Steinleitner, Alex Steinleitner, Lambert H, H Lambert, Hovey Lambert, M Suarez, Mariluz Suarez, Suarez M, N Serpa, Nurys Serpa, Serpa N, S Roy, Roy S, Subir Roy
Fertility and sterility · 1991 · vol. 56(5) , pp. 975–979 · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54674-3 · PMID:1936333 · W2405151970
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Pentoxifylline treatment reversed surgically induced endometriosis-associated inhibition of fertilization in a rodent model, suggesting immunomodulatory potential for subfertility.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of pentoxifylline on early reproductive performance in an animal model for endometriosis.DesignPreclinical blinded study in a rodent model.SettingAnimal research laboratory.ParticipantsSexually mature female golden hamsters.InterventionsAt laparotomy, groups of hamsters were subjected to: (1) excision of the right uterine horn and (2) excision of the right uterine horn with explantation of four 2-cm2 uterine fragments onto the left uterine mesentery. Six weeks later, surgically treated hamsters and nonsurgically treated controls were subjected to ovulation induction with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin; subsequently, hamsters were divided into groups for periovulatory treatment with either pentoxifylline (2.5 mg/kg) or vehicle given subcutaneously every 8 hours. All hamsters were mated with proven males and killed after 48 hours.Main outcome measuresNumbers of unfertilized oocytes and embryos recovered from the left uterine horn at 48 hours after mating.ResultsFertilization rates in surgical and nonsurgical control groups exceeded 90%. Fertilization was significantly impaired in saline-treated animals bearing uterine explants (mean of 2.3% +/- 1.9%). Administration of pentoxifylline dramatically reversed this effect (99.0% +/- 0.7% mean fertilization rate).ConclusionThese data suggest that periovulatory treatment with pentoxifylline abrogated the adverse influence of endometrial explants on fertilization in the rodent model. Periovulatory administration of nonteratogenic immunomodulatory agents may provide an alternative to conventional treatment for endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Adjuvants, Immunologic Endometriosis Fertilization Infertility, Female Pentoxifylline Adjuvants, Immunologic Animals Cricetinae Endometriosis Female Fertilization Gametogenesis Gametogenesis Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Mesocricetus Ovulation Ovulation Pentoxifylline

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