Expression of CD11c+HLA-DR+dendritic cells and related cytokines in the follicular fluid might be related to pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expressions of CD11c+HLA-DR+dentritic cells in the follicular fluid of patients with OHSS and their significances.

SUBJECTS: 100 individuals.

TREATMENT: embryos were observed. The distribution of dentritic cells in follicular fluid and the levels of IL-10, IL-12, IL-18 and IL-23 in follicular fluid were detected.

METHODS

There were ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) group and control group in this study. The OHSS group consisted of 50 patients with OHSS and the control group consisted of 50 patients who underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) only due to male factors. The statuses of embryos were compared between the two groups. The distribution of dentritic cells in follicular fluid was determined with flow cytometry, and the levels of IL-10, IL-12, IL-18 and IL-23 in follicular fluid were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all patients.

RESULTS

The two-pronuclear (2PN) fertility rate, high-quality embryo rate and available embryo rate were all significantly lower in OHSS group than in control group (all P<0.05). The number of CD11c+HLA-DR+dentritic cells (P<0.05) and the levels of IL-10, IL-12, IL-18 and IL-23 were all significantly higher in OHSS group than in control group (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The follicular fluid of the patients with OHSS is in an inflammatory status, the inflammatory status may be involved in OHSS and the microenvironment of follicular fluid may affects oocyte quality and embryo development.