ENDOMETRIOSIS AND INFERTILITY - THE ROLE OF EXOGENOUS LIPID PEROXIDES IN THE PERITONEAL-FLUID

Objective: To determine if lipid peroxides were raised in the pelvic peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis. Design: Control study involving patients with and without endometriosis. Methods: The lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde) levels in the pelvic PF of 12 patients with moderate-to severe endometriosis, 15 patients with minimal-mild endometriosis and 13 patients with normal pelvises were compared. Results: The level of lipid peroxides were not affected by the presence nor the severity of endometriosis. Conclusion: Accelerated lipid peroxidation does not appear to play a role in the causal relationship between endometriosis and infertility.