Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the follicular microenvironment in tubal factor and unexplained infertility cases in IVF cycles

Oya Korkmaz; Seda Karabulut; Pelin Macit

doi:10.31797/vetbio.1820373

Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the follicular microenvironment in tubal factor and unexplained infertility cases in IVF cycles

Abstract

This study compares follicular fluid (FF) and serum IL-1β, IL-17, and IL-18 levels, as well as total antioxidant (TAC) and total oxidant (TOC) capacities in cases of tubal factor and unexplained infertility, and to investigate the relationship of these parameters with oocyte and embryo quality and clinical pregnancy outcomes. Seventy patients undergoing IVF cycles were divided into two groups: tubal factor (n = 35) and unexplained infertility (n = 35). IL-1β, IL-17, and IL-18 levels in FF and serum samples were measured by ELISA; TAC and TOC were measured spectrophotometrically. Intergroup differences and correlations between biochemical markers and embryological variables were statistically analysed. In the unexplained infertility group, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-18 levels were significantly higher, TAC levels were lower, and TOC and OSI values were increased, particularly in follicular fluid (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in serum levels. In FF, positive correlations were found between cytokine levels and TOC and OSI, and negative correlations with TAC. In logistic regression analysis, FF IL- 18 (OR = 0.78, p = 0.02) and OSI (OR = 0.82, p = 0.03) were independent factors reducing the likelihood of clinical pregnancy. Cases of unexplained infertility are characterised by follicular microenvironment inflammasome-Th17 activation and redox imbalance. This condition may adversely affect oocyte and embryo quality. Analysis of IL-1β, IL-17, IL-18, TAC, TOC, and OSI levels in FF and serum may guide diagnostic differentiation and targeted treatment strategies. The findings suggest that antioxidant and inflammasome-targeted approaches may be potential adjunctive treatment options in unexplained infertility.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of İstanbul Medipol University (Approval no: E-10840098-202.3.02-7944). Data and samples were obtained retrospectively from routine IVF procedures.

Thanks

None.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Oya Korkmaz ^*
0000-0003-2923-5869
Türkiye

Seda Karabulut
0000-0003-3302-5004
Türkiye

Pelin Macit
0000-0002-5666-0687
Türkiye

Publication Date

May 6, 2026

Submission Date

November 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1820373

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA27XW92HH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Korkmaz, O., Karabulut, S., & Macit, P. (2026). Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the follicular microenvironment in tubal factor and unexplained infertility cases in IVF cycles. Journal of Advances in VetBio Science and Techniques, 2, 76-84. https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1820373

AMA

1.Korkmaz O, Karabulut S, Macit P. Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the follicular microenvironment in tubal factor and unexplained infertility cases in IVF cycles. J Ad VetBio Sci Tech. 2026;(2):76-84. doi:10.31797/vetbio.1820373

Chicago

Korkmaz, Oya, Seda Karabulut, and Pelin Macit. 2026. “Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 Levels in the Follicular Microenvironment in Tubal Factor and Unexplained Infertility Cases in IVF Cycles”. Journal of Advances in VetBio Science and Techniques, nos. 2: 76-84. https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1820373.

EndNote

Korkmaz O, Karabulut S, Macit P (May 1, 2026) Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the follicular microenvironment in tubal factor and unexplained infertility cases in IVF cycles. Journal of Advances in VetBio Science and Techniques 2 76–84.

IEEE

[1]O. Korkmaz, S. Karabulut, and P. Macit, “Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the follicular microenvironment in tubal factor and unexplained infertility cases in IVF cycles”, J Ad VetBio Sci Tech, no. 2, pp. 76–84, May 2026, doi: 10.31797/vetbio.1820373.

ISNAD

Korkmaz, Oya - Karabulut, Seda - Macit, Pelin. “Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 Levels in the Follicular Microenvironment in Tubal Factor and Unexplained Infertility Cases in IVF Cycles”. Journal of Advances in VetBio Science and Techniques. 2 (May 1, 2026): 76-84. https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1820373.

JAMA

1.Korkmaz O, Karabulut S, Macit P. Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the follicular microenvironment in tubal factor and unexplained infertility cases in IVF cycles. J Ad VetBio Sci Tech. 2026;:76–84.

MLA

Korkmaz, Oya, et al. “Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 Levels in the Follicular Microenvironment in Tubal Factor and Unexplained Infertility Cases in IVF Cycles”. Journal of Advances in VetBio Science and Techniques, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 76-84, doi:10.31797/vetbio.1820373.

Vancouver

1.Oya Korkmaz, Seda Karabulut, Pelin Macit. Comparison of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-18 levels in the follicular microenvironment in tubal factor and unexplained infertility cases in IVF cycles. J Ad VetBio Sci Tech. 2026 May 1;(2):76-84. doi:10.31797/vetbio.1820373