Purpose: To investigate possible relationships of interleukin-1Β (IL-1Β, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and growth hormone (GH) with biochemical variables in human follicular fluid (FF) and selected in vitro fertilization (IVF) parameters. Methods: A total of 67 FF samples (n=67 patients undergoing oocyte retrieval for IVF) was evaluated. IL-1Β, IL-6, GH, hLH, FSH, PRL, hCG, testosterone, total protein, fibrinogen, sialic acid, α1-antitrypsin, plasminogen levels, and spectrophotometric absorbance at 458 nm were analyzed for selected FF. IL-6 and GH levels of serum and FF samples were also compared (n=23). Results: Immunoreactive levels of IL-1Β, IL-6, and GH were detected in all FF samples. A positive correlation existed for IL-6 (r=0.5069, P=0.0161 when serum-to-FF levels were compared (concentration ratio, 1:1.857). Smaller-volume follicles (<4 ml) were associated with high IL-1Β levels (P=0.0229, and an additional tendency of IL-1Β to decrease with increasing embryo cleavage and scoring was observed. With the exception of a weak positive correlation between follicular IL-1Β and testosterone levels (r=0.3128, P=0.025, no other relationship with biochemical variables or IVF parameters (etiology, e.g., endometriosis) could be implicated. Conclusions: Substantially higher IL-6 levels occurred in FF compared to serum, thus supporting intrafollicular production. Interleukin- 1Β, IL-6, and GH levels in FF are, however, unsuitable markers for in vitro fertilization outcome. © 1994 Plenum Publishing Corporation.
