Relationship between cytokines and the embryotoxicity of hydrosalpingeal fluid

Objective: The exact chemical composition of hydrosalpingeal fluid is unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize cytokines in hydrosalpingeal fluid (HSF) and examine their possible role in the embryo development. Study Design: HSF was aspirated at laparoscopic salpingectomy in eight infertile women. Levels of IL-1 beta, IL-13, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the HSF were determined by quantitative immunoassay kits. Two-cell mouse embryos were incubated with 0, 25, 50 and 75% concentrations of HSF. The blastocyst development rate (BDR) of mouse embryos was measured at each HSF concentration. Result(s): The embryotoxicity of HSF was concentration dependent. An increase in the HSF concentration resulted in significant decrease in % BDR (p < 0.01). IL-1 beta was present in six of the eight HSF samples with a mean (+/- SD) concentration of 0.9 +/- 0.8 pg/mL. IL-13 was not detected in any of the HSF samples. IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were detected in all samples with a mean ( SD) concentration of 4741.2 +/- 6554.4 pg/mL, 204.8 +/- 132.8 pg/ml and 12 +/- 12.8 pg/mL respectively. IL-6 was positively correlated with BDR (r = 0.53; p < 0.04). Conclusion(s): We demonstrated for the first time the presence of IL-1 beta, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha and the absence of IL-13 in human hydrosalpingeal fluid. IL-6 was positively related to the BDR.