Description of the follicular fluid cytokine and hormone profiles in human physiological natural cycles.

PURPOSE Exogenous gonadotrophins administration in IVF/ICSI cycles could significantly alter the endogenous follicular regulation system and could influence oocyte quality. The analysis of the follicular fluid (FF) cytokine and hormone profiles in physiological natural cycles is crucial to appreciate the role of FF milieu on follicle development. So far FF cytokine profile has been analyzed only in controlled ovarian stimulation cycles and in modified natural cycles. Our study defines in physiological natural cycles the cytokine and hormone profiles of individual FF aspirated from antral follicles. METHODS 203 FFs obtained from 83 women with regular menstrual cycles undergoing ovarian tissue cryopreservation were analyzed: 115 FFs from the Group 1 (10 to 29 years) and 88 FFs from the Group 2 (30 to 40 years). In individual FF, 27 cytokines were measured with X-MAP Technology and progesterone, estrone, estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS. RESULTS FF hormone profiles were not different in follicular and luteal phase, suggesting that FF hormones are regulated independently of the endogenous gonadotrophins maybe because 74% of the punctured follicles, which were ≤ 6mm, did not require cyclic pituitary function. The follicle size was influenced not only by the FF cytokine profile but also by the FF hormone profile, which are both age-dependent. MAIN CONCLUSIONS In physiological natural cycles FF hormones seems to be regulated independently of the endogenous gonadotropins. Age influences FF hormone and cytokine profiles and the compelling relationship between FF hormones and FF cytokines could influence the follicle development.