ROLE OF SELECTED CYTOKINES AS A SUCCESS MARKER OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION PREGNANCY
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Keywords
Cytokines, Interleukin-6, Leukemia Inhibitory Factor, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, in vitro fertilization, Pregnancy.
Abstract
Background: Infertility is a significant global health issue and despite advancements in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF), success rates remain relatively low.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IVF success in women undergoing fertility treatment.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 80 women aged 30 to 40 years undergoing IVF at a fertility clinic. Inclusion criteria included primary or secondary infertility and recurrent miscarriages, with exclusion criteria focusing on specific surgical histories and lack of histopathologic diagnoses. Blood samples were drawn during IVF procedures to measure IL-6, LIF, and TNF-α levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests were employed for data analysis using SPSS version 26.
Results: The mean age of participants was 33.42±4.74 years, and the mean BMI was 27.20±4.68. Among participants, 76 (95%) were nulliparous, and 64 (80%) had primary infertility. The most common blood group was O+ve (57.5%). The study found no statistically significant differences in mean cytokine levels between women with positive and negative pregnancy outcomes: IL-6 (55.20±28.87 vs. 47.76±21.76, p=0.436), LIF (197.96±208.31 vs. 157.41±116.67, p=0.603), and TNF-α (377.35±361.51 vs. 145.41±68.11, p=0.073).
Conclusion: Although higher mean levels of IL-6, LIF, and TNF-α were observed in women with positive pregnancy outcomes. These findings suggest that while cytokines may play a role in reproductive processes, their levels alone do not serve as definitive predictors of IVF success.
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Hina Allah Ditta
Additional Principal women medical officer at Sheikh Zayed Medical College Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.
Tayyaba Yasin
PhD student at The University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Italy.
Madiha Shahzad Lodhi
Assistant professor at the University of Lahore, Pakistan
Rihana Dilshad
Assistant professor at Sheikh Zayed Medical College Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.
Rizwana Dilshad
Associate professor at Swedish College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.
Hafiz Babar Ali
MBBS, MPH, CEO Dera Ghazi Khan.
Sultan Ahmad
Assistant Professor Thoracic Surgery at Sheikh Zayed Medical College Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.
Sabira Sultana
Department of Eastern Medicine Government College University Faisalabad Pakistan.