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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on August 11, 2005
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/dei240
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Published by Oxford University Press 2005 on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Received January 15, 2005
Revised January 17, 2005
Accepted July 11, 2005

Article

Leukocyte origin and profile in follicular aspirates at oocyte retrieval

M.P. Smith 1*, G.R. Flannery 2, B.J. Randle 1, J.M. Jenkins 1, and C.H. Holmes 1

1 University of Bristol, Department of Clinical Sciences South Bristol, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Michael’s Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol BS2 8EG, UK
2 Immunogenetics Unit, Department of Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
M.P. Smith, E-mail: mike.smith{at}bristol.ac.uk


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: Follicular aspirates represent a snapshot in time of conditions within the follicle at oocyte retrieval in women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. This clinical material has been much investigated and yet its cellular composition remains unclear. In this study we investigated the origin and profile of leukocytes found within follicular aspirates. METHODS: We performed morphological and immunohistochemical analyses of follicular aspirates and peripheral blood obtained concurrently at oocyte retrieval. RESULTS: There was no correlation between erythrocyte and leukocyte numbers in follicular aspirates. The profile of leukocyte subtypes within follicular aspirates was variable and differed significantly from the peripheral circulation in a significant proportion of the analysed samples. A subset of follicular aspirates displayed a marked increase in monocytes/macrophages and an apparent concomitant reduction in polymorphonuclear leukocytes compared with peripheral blood. CONCLUSIONS: Leukocytes within follicular aspirates cannot be accounted for solely as a result of blood vessel damage during oocyte retrieval. The variation in leukocyte subtypes observed in some follicular aspirates may reflect a coordinated infiltration of these cells, characteristic of progressive inflammatory responses in other systems. The possibility that leukocyte variation is indicative of follicular maturation deserves further investigation due to its potential relevance in optimizing oocyte selection.

Keywords: follicular aspirates/IVF-ET/leukocyte profile/leukocyte origin/peripheral blood.
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