Ovarian IL-1α and IL-1β levels are associated with primary ovarian insufficiency.

Abstract

. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were employed to assess the levels of protein secretion and mRNA expression of IL-1α and IL-1β, as well as the molecules that are critical for apoptotic pathways. Our results showed that IL-1α level in serum samples and follicular fluid of POI patients was significantly elevated in comparison to that in healthy women. Interestingly, the follicular levels of both IL-1α and IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher than their serum levels. Our qPCR analysis further revealed that there was a significant upregulation of apoptotic Bax mRNA expression, but expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 mRNA expression was downregulated in POI patients. In conclusion, our studies revealed that the elevated level of IL-1 in follicle fluids of POI patients may be the major causal factor for follicular apoptosis that consequently impairs follicle reserve and ovarian functions by follicle depletion.