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Serum levels of transforming growth factor β1 and C-reactive protein as possible markers of intra uterine insemination outcome

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European Cytokine Network Aims and scope

Abstract

Objective

Maternal immunity is important for the implantation phase, and exaggerated inflammatory responses may reduce the chance of implantation and pregnancy. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) plays a role in the modulation of cellular growth, maturation and differentiation, extracellular matrix formation, immunoregulation, and apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in serum TGF-β1 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in infertile women following intrauterine insemination (IUI) according to the presence of pregnancy.

Methods

Sixty-three infertile patients were selected for the study in a nine-month period. Clomiphene citrate or recombinant gonadotropins were used for ovulation induction, and all patients underwent IUI following human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger. The pregnant and non-pregnant groups’ TGF-β1 and CRP levels were measured.

Results

The CRP levels increased significantly from the day of the hCG trigger to the 8th day after hCG trigger in the non-pregnant group (P = 0.003) whereas TGF-β1 levels decreased in the pregnant group (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Maternal inflammatory responses play an important role in the occurrence of pregnancy. Changes in the levels of TGF-β1 and CRP may have a role in the outcome of IUI. Serial measurements of TGF-β1 and C-reactive protein, if confirmed by larger studies, may become valuable in predicting the outcome of IUI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences, Zekai Tahir Burak Health Practice Research Center, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayse Sahin, Yaprak Engin-Ustun, Aytekin Tokmak, Hasan Sahin, Salim Erkaya & A. Seval Ozgu-Erdinc

  2. Zekai Tahir Burak Health Practice Research Center, Ankara, Turkey, Talatpasa, University of Health Sciences, Bulvari No 128, 06230, Ankara, Turkey

    A. Seval Ozgu-Erdinc

Authors
  1. Ayse Sahin
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  2. Yaprak Engin-Ustun
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  3. Aytekin Tokmak
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  4. Hasan Sahin
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  6. A. Seval Ozgu-Erdinc
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Correspondence to A. Seval Ozgu-Erdinc.

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Sahin, A., Engin-Ustun, Y., Tokmak, A. et al. Serum levels of transforming growth factor β1 and C-reactive protein as possible markers of intra uterine insemination outcome. Eur Cytokine Netw 29, 121–126 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1684/ecn.2018.0418

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ecn.2018.0418

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