Leukaemia inhibitory factor in serum and follicular fluid of women with polycystic ovary syndrome and its correlation with IVF outcome

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2018 Source:Reproductive BioMedicine Online Author(s): Zewu Li, Yueting Zhu, Hongchang Li, Wenjie Jiang, Hongbin Liu, Junhao Yan, Zi-Jiang Chen, Weiping Li Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction and polycystic ovarian morphology. Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) affects many reproductive activities, including follicular development, embryo implantation and growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate LIF concentrations in serum and follicular fluid of women with PCOS and controls who underwent IVF with embryo transfer (IVF–ET). Serum and follicular fluid LIF concentrations were lower in women with PCOS compared with controls. Oestradiol concentrations in follicular fluid were higher in PCOS subjects compared with controls. LIF concentrations in serum (r = 0.6263, P < 0.05) and follicular fluid (r = 0.7093, P < 0.05) were negatively correlated with oestradiol concentration in the PCOS group. LIF concentrations in follicular fluid showed no difference between women who conceived and women who did not in both PCOS and control groups. However, LIF concentrations in embryo culture medium were higher in women who conceived following IVF compared with women who did not, in combined PCOS and control groups. The findings indicate that low LIF concentrations in serum and follicular fluid may contribute to disordered folliculogenesis in PCOS. LIF concentrations i...
Source: Reproductive BioMedicine Online - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research