Lipiodol alters murine uterine dendritic cell populations: a potential mechanism for the fertility-enhancing effect of lipiodol

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether treatment with lipiodol alters the leukocyte population in the uterus.

Design: Randomized controlled animal study.

Setting: University research laboratory.

Animal(s): Sixty female Swiss white mice at proestrous.

Intervention(s): Infusion of the female reproductive tract with lipiodol versus infusion with saline versus sham treatment.

Main outcome measure(s): Counts of uterine macrophages, dendritic cells, and total leukocytes assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Result(s): No statistically significant differences were found in the mean number of total leukocytes or macrophages between the three treatment groups. The mean number of CD205+ dendritic cells showed a statistically significant decrease following lipiodol treatment compared with the sham treatment and saline treatment. The mean number of CD1+ dendritic cells showed a statistically significant increase following lipiodol treatment compared with the sham treatment.

Conclusion(s): Intrauterine lipiodol infusion is associated with a change in the uterine dendritic cell populations in mice. This change may alter the uterine immune response to the fetus, leading to improved fertility.