A Cross-sectional Study on the Follicular Fluid Concentration of Some Interleukins and Clinical Factors in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients

Objectives: Cytokines regulate ovarian activity through controlling internal ovarian processes as paracrine or autocrine regulators. In the current study, the follicular fluid (FF) concentration of some cytokines including interleukin (IL-3), IL-5, and IL-6 were investigated and compared between 39 patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 34 healthy normal women with male factor infertility as the control group. Materials and Methods: To this end, FF samples were collected by following gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. Then, the FF concentration of the studied cytokines was evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Finally, the characteristics of the participants were collected and compared between PCOS and control groups. Results: Based on the results, the FF concentration of IL-3 and IL-5 revealed a remarkable reduction in the PCOS group in comparison to the control group (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.04, respectively). In addition, there were noticeable differences in the body mass index (P = 0.009), endometrial thickness (P < 0.0001), menstrual cycle (P < 0.0001), history of ovarian surgery (P < 0.0001), hyperandrogenism (P < 0.0001), and hirsutism (P < 0.0001) between the groups. Conclusions: In general, the finding of the diminished concentration of IL-3 and IL-5 in PCOS patients may represent an altered immune response to the inflammatory condition in this syndrome.