Reduced expression of interleukin-11 and interleukin-6 in the periimplantation endometrium of excessive ovarian responders during in vitro fertilization treatment.

CONTEXT: Impaired implantation in assisted reproduction cycles with high serum estradiol (E2) concentrations may be related to abnormal endometrial functions.

OBJECTIVE

The in vivo expression of T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines in the periimplantation endometrium of infertile patients was compared between natural and stimulated cycles.

INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uterine flushings and endometrial biopsies were collected 7 d after the LH surge in natural cycles or after human chorionic gonadotropin injection in stimulated cycles. Th2 cytokines were determined by immunolocalization and by ELISA. Natural cycles were in group A, whereas stimulated cycles with peak serum E2 of no more than 20,000 pmol/liter (moderate responders) and more than 20,000 pmol/liter (excessive responders) were classified as group B and group C, respectively.

RESULTS

Higher E2 had a negative effect on IL-11 and IL-6 expression in the endometrium and IL-11 concentration in the uterine flushing. In endometrial biopsies, a significantly lower immunostaining of stromal IL-11 (P < 0.001) and glandular IL-6 (P < 0.05) was detected in group C compared with that of groups A and B. IL-11 concentration by ELISA was significantly lower in group C (P < 0.05). Endometrial leukemia inhibitory factor and IL-4 expression was similar in the three groups. In uterine flushings, a significantly higher percentage of women in group C had undetectable IL-11 and a lower IL-11 concentration (P < 0.01) compared with group A, whereas no difference in IL-6 concentration was noted in the three groups.

CONCLUSION

Reduced expression of IL-11 and IL-6 in periimplantation endometrium may account for lower implantation in excessive responders.