Correlation Between Follicular Fluid CD36 And IVF-ET Assisted Conception Outcomes In Patients With Endometriosis

Objective To investigate the correlation of follicular fluid CD36(CD36)levels with follicular fluid(FF)inflammation,oxidative stress,and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with endometriosis(EMs),and its correlation with in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer(IVF/ICSI-ET)treatment outcomes in EMs patients.In vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer(IVF/ICSI-ET)treatment outcomes in patients with EMs.Methods A total of 30 women who underwent IVF/ICSI-ET assisted conception treatment for patients with combined infertility due to EMs at the Reproductive Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from July 2020 to July 2021 were selected as the case group(n=30),while a total of 65 women who underwent assisted conception treatment for tubal factors alone were included as the control group(n=65).Clinical data were collected for retrospective analysis,and the differences in basic clinical data,ovarian reserve function and IVF/ ICSI-ET outcomes between the two groups were analyzed and compared.Follicular fluid(FF)obtained from the first puncture on the day of egg retrieval was collected from 95 eligible follicular fluid specimens(30 in the endometriosis group;65 in the control group)from patients in the EMs and control groups,respectively.CD36,Monocytic chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1),Oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL),Interleukin-6(IL-6),Tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)levels and analyze the differences between the two groups and their effects on IVF/ ICSI-ET assisted reproduction treatment outcomes.Further,Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to investigate the possible effects on local inflammation,oxidative stress,metabolic environment and assisted reproduction outcomes in follicular fluid of EMs patients.Results(1)There were no statistically significant differences in age,serum basal follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estradiol(E2),progesterone(P),testosterone(T)levels and total gonadotropin(Gn)dosage between patients in the EMs and control groups.(2)The number of basal sinus follicle count(AFC),the number of eggs obtained and the number of transferable embryos were significantly lower in the EMs group compared with the control group,and the number of high-quality embryos and the rate of high-quality embryos were lower compared with the control group but not statistically different.(3)Compared with the control group,the expression of CD36 in follicular fluid was significantly higher in EMs patients(P < 0.001),the content of inflammatory factors MCP-1and IL-6 was significantly higher(P < 0.05),and there was no significant difference in TNF-α;the expression of lipid molecules TC and HDL-C was significantly lower(P < 0.05),and the difference between TG and LDL-C groups was not statistically significant.(4)Spearman’ s correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between follicular fluid CD36 levels and the number of high-quality embryos(R=-0.495,P<0.01)and high-quality embryo rate(R=-0.578,P<0.01),a significant positive correlation between CD36 and MCP-1(R=0.395,P<0.05)and a significant positive correlation with IL-6levels in patients in the EMs group(R=0.370,P<0.05).Conclusion(1)Follicular fluid CD36,inflammatory index MCP-1 and oxidative stress marker ox-LDL were significantly elevated in patients with EMs,and CD36 showed a significant positive correlation with MCP-1 and IL-6 levels.It is suggested that CD36 may be involved in inflammation and oxidative stress response.(2)The AFC,number of eggs obtained,and number of transferable embryos were significantly decreased in patients with EMs,suggesting the presence of local inflammation and oxidative stress alterations in EMs patients,which may affect the pro-inflammatory environment of follicular fluid and oocyte quality.(3)Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between follicular fluid CD36 and the number of quality embryos and the rate of quality embryos.