Immunoactive interleukin-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in thecal, stromal and granulosa cell cultures from normal and polycystic ovaries.

Previous studies of follicular fluid from stimulated human ovaries have shown detectable amounts of immunoactive interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). Other reports have shown the presence of IL-1 receptors, mRNA and antagonists for IL-1 in the human ovary. The aim of this study was to measure IL-1 and TNF concentrations in follicular fluid from unstimulated normal or polycystic ovaries (PCO) as well as concentrations in media conditioned by granulosa cells or thecal or stromal tissue. TNF concentrations were easily detected in follicular fluid (77 fmol/ml, range 20-95) and concentrations in PCO were similar to those in normal ovaries (70 versus 82 fmol/ml). TNF was virtually undetectable in all tissue culture media. IL-1 concentrations in all culture media were readily detected but showed no differences between different tissues or between PCO and normal ovaries. It was concluded that human ovaries readily produce immunoactive IL-1 in culture but produce less TNF despite detectable amounts of TNF in follicular fluid. There appears to be no difference between PCO and normal ovaries with respect to IL-1 and TNF.