Relationship between NK Cells in Follicular Fluid and the Outcome of in vitro Fertilization Treatment / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the proportion of follicular fluid CD56~+ natural killer (NK) cells to the total lymphocytes and the ac-tivated CD56~+ NK cells to the total CD56~+ NK cells. To provide an evidence for improving the clinical pregnancy rate in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment by regulating the function of NK cells. Methods Triple color flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells in mature follicular fluid. The IVF treatment outcome was closely followed up. The relationship be-tween the proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells and the IVF treatment outcome was analyzed statistically. Results The proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56* NK cells in mature follicular fluid of women who got pregnancy by IVF treatment was (15.57±3.10)% and (2.63±0.94)% respectively,while the proportion of the women who didn't get pregnancy was (19.12±5.37)% and (4.06±2.08)% respectively,which was significantly higher than the pregnant group(P< 0.05). Conclusion The women with lower propor-tion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells in mature follicular fluid of is easier to get pregnancy by IVF. An altered NK cells pro-file in follicular fluid could therefore influence fertility in IVF treatment outcome.