The correlation between TNF-α, IL-6 in cervical mucous during follicular development and ovulation stimulation in different protocols

Objective To investigate the correlation between TNF-α and IL-6 levels in cervical mucous during follicular development and ovulation stimulation in different protocols.Methods 36 infertile women were set up as experimental groups,divided into CC, HMG, IVF-ET group,each group consisted of 12 infertile women and 15 women with normal menstrual cycles were choiced as control group.Cervical mucous during follicular phase, luteal phase and ovulation phase were collected.TNF-α, IL-6 levels in cervical mucous were measured by radioimmunology assay (RIA).Follicular development were monitored by transvaginal ultrasonagraphy.Results (1) TNF-α levels in cervical mucous of experimental groups and control group were periodically various among the reproductive cycle.It increased during follicular phase, reached to peak during ovulation phase, and decreased during luteal phase (P＜0.05).IL-6 levels had no obvious periodical changes.(2) Compared with CC and control group, levels of TNF-α,IL-6 in HMG and IVF-ET group were significantly higher (P＜0.05).(3) Levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in cervical mucous were positively correlated with the dominant follicle diameter (r=0.261, r=0.192 respectively,P＜0.05).(4) TNF-α and IL-6 showed positive correlation in the reproductive cycle (r=0.782,P＜0.05).Conclusions (1) TNF-α level shows a cyclic change in the reproductive cycle and peaks during ovulation,whereas IL-6 level does not.(2) TNF-α and IL-6 may play a certain role in the process of follicular development and ovulation.(3)The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 are up-regulated by gonadotrophic hormone.(4) TNF-α and IL-6 may have coordination properties and participate in the same biological effects.