Objective: To study the relationship between alteration of peritoneal lymphocyte transformation activity, its interleukin-2 (IL-2) release and infertility associated with endometriosis.
Methods: Peritoneal fluid was collected from 15 infertile patients with endometriosis (endometriosis group) and 13 normal fertile women (control group). Lymphocyte transformation activity were determined in peritoneal fluid by morphometry. IL-2 contents were determined in peritoneal fluid and supernatants of cultured pelvic lymphocytes by biological method.
Results: Lymphocyte transformation activity reinforced (P < 0.001) and IL-2 contents increased in peritoneal fluid and supernatant of cultured pelvic lymphocyte in the endometriosis group than those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.001 respectively). There is significant positive correlation between lymphocyte transformation rate and IL-2 activity of cultured supernatant in endometriosis group (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The increase of IL-2 content in the samples of endometriosis may play an important role in infertility with endometriosis.