Toll-like receptors expression in follicular cells of patients with poor ovarian response

ABSTRACT

Background: Poor ovarian response [POR] to gonadotropin stimulation has led to a significant decline in success rate of fertility treatment. The immune system may play an important role in pathophysiology of POR by dysfunctions of cytokines and the growth factor network, and the presence of ovarian auto-antibodies. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of toll-like receptors [TLR] 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and cyclooxygenase [COX] 2 genes in follicular cells and concentration of interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor [MIF], as major parts of innate immunity, in follicular fluid [FF] obtained from POR women in comparison with normal women