Endometrial polyps in infertile patients: do high concentrations of interferon-gamma play a role?

Abstract

Objective: To assess levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) both in serum and in endometrial biopsy samples from infertile patients with endometrial polyps, to investigate the molecular background involved in the formation of endometrial polyps and its potential role in infertility.

Design: Prospective controlled trial.

Setting: Academic infertility clinic.

Patient(s): Twenty-one infertile women affected by endometrial polyposis represented the study group, and 21 homogeneous women without endometrial polyps were enrolled as control subjects.

Intervention(s): Blood and endometrial biopsy collection from infertile women with and without endometrial polyps.

Main outcome measure(s): IFN-γ-positive cells were analyzed and counted as spot-forming colonies.

Result(s): IFN-γ levels were significantly higher both in serum and in tissue biopsies of women with endometrial polyps.

Conclusion(s): High concentrations of IFN-γ were detected in infertile patients with endometrial polyps. The possible role of an inflammatory factor in a proliferative pathology represents a novel insight into the understanding of endometrial polyposis and its relationship with infertility.