Ovarian leukocyte distribution and cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression in follicular fluid cells in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

The study focused on the differences in leukocyte distribution and cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression in the follicular fluid of 14 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 17 without, all undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). It was found that women with PCOS had a 60% reduction in CD45RO+ cells (activated/memory T lymphocytes) in the theca layer of their follicles, while the levels of macrophages and neutrophils were similar to those without PCOS. Cytokine and chemokine mRNA levels were generally unaffected by PCOS status, but a high body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in follicular cells. Additionally, higher IL-6 expression was observed in women who achieved pregnancy. The findings suggest that T lymphocytes might be involved in the pathology of PCOS, and that cytokines and chemokines could be linked to fertility outcomes in these patients.