Mohammad Mahdi Mohammadi - Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Department of Immunology & Allergy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Background: Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is one of the major complications during assisted reproductive technology. The role of cytokines in the pathology of OHSS is an interesting research field in recent years. The study aims to determine the concentration of IL-17 and IL-23 in follicular fluid (FF) of infertile women at the risk of OHSS, undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Also, the correlation between the expression of IL-17 and IL-23genes in cumulus cells and oocyte maturity was investigated.Methods: The study was compromised of 80 women under the treatment of ART. Forty of them were at the risk of OHSS and considered as case group. The control group was the couples with male factor infertility (n=40). Antagonist protocol was applied for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). During the process of ovarian retrieval, the follicular fluid (FF) was harvested for all patients (case & control). Also the cumulus cells were collected for each patient, separately. Then IL-17 and IL-23 concentration was measured with ELISA in FF and their expression was evaluated in cumulus cells with real time-PCR. Besides, blood serum level of E2, FSH, LH, TSH, AMH, PRL and Anti-TPO was analyzed. Oocyte maturity rate was evaluated and the correlation between the rate of oocyte maturity and FF concentration of these two cytokines was evaluated.Result: The concentration of E2 and AMH were significantly higher in case group compared to control (PConclusion: In infertile women with high risk of OHSS, FF level of IL-17 was significantly higher. So, we can propose that this cytokine may have critical role in pathogenesis of OHSS

Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation, Follicular Fluid, IL-17, IL-23, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome