The significance of follicular fluid TNF-α in endometriosis associated infertility

Objective To investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-α in follicular fluid and outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVFET) in endometriosis associated infertility. Methods The concentrations of tumor necrosis factorα in follicular fluids from 20 patients with endometriosis associated infertility (endometriosis group) and 20 tubal factor infertile patients who undergone IVFET, were measured photochemically. Results No difference was observed in age, infertility period between the two groups. The required dosage of gondotrophin(Gn) was significantly more in endometriosis group than the control [(33.40±9.48)vs(26.80±4.30), P0.05]. The acquired oocytes [(10.8±6.87 )vs(15.40±6.03)], fertilization rate[(0.57±0.22)vs(0.72±0.16)]and embryo amount [(5.95±4.32)vs(11.0±4.22)]were significantly decreased in endometriosis group than the control (all P0.05). No difference of follicle number and pregnancy rate was observed between two groups. Higher concentration of tumor necrosis factorα in follicular fluid in endometriosis group was detected than that in control group [(9.86±9.43)pg/ml vs(5.01±1.18)pg/ml, P=0.034]. Conclusion Concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α increased in infertile patients with endometriosis, probably because tumor necrosis factor-α play a role in impairing quality of oocyte.