Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction

The problem of ecologically caused iodine deficiency is acute in many countries around the world, including Ukraine, where the endemic zone for the development of iodine deficiency is Northern Bukovina. The possible participation of iodine in the induction or manifestation of autoimmune processes in the thyroid gland and their role in reproduction is discussed. Iodine deficiency is significantly higher in infertile women than in women with normal fertility. In addition, immune mediators, in particular cytokines, have a clear relationship with iodine metabolism and thus are important regulators of fertility.

The aim of the study

To determine the features of the peripheral blood cytokine profile in women with infertility living in iodine-deficient regions of Bukovina.

Materials and methods

The analysis was conducted on the basis of detailed clinical, anamnestic and laboratory studies of 32 women who lived in iodine-deficient regions of Bukovina and who appealed to the clinic with complaints about infertility. The control group consisted of 30 women with infertility living in regions that are prosperous in iodine content. The comparison group consisted of 30 healthy women. Determination of cytokine levels (TNF-a, IL-2, INF-γ, IL-4, IL-6) in blood serum was performed by ELISA.

Results

In women of the study group compared with the control, the studied cytokines of Th1 (TNF-a, IL-2, INF-γ) there was a significant difference only for TNF-a – anincrease of 0.82 times (P <0.05), with insignificant changes in IL-2 and INF-γ levels. At the same time, there was a probable increase in the levels of both studied cytokines of the Th2 type: both IL-4 (0.98 times, P <0.05) and IL-6 (0.45 times, P < 0.05). It should be noted, that in the both studied and control groups compared to healthy women the levels of all studied cytokines had the same trend.

Conclusion

Thus, endemic iodine deficiency in infertile women aggravates the production of TNF-a, IL-4 and IL-6, which may indicate on the role of iodine deficiency in immune homeostasis and infertility, mainly by reason of impaired Th2 type immune response.

Key worlds

Cytokines, women with infertility, endemic iodine deficiency.