Serum levels of transforming growth factor β1 and C-reactive protein as possible markers of intra uterine insemination outcome

Maternal immunity is important for the implantation phase, and exaggerated inflammatory responses may reduce the chance of implantation and pregnancy. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) plays a role in the modulation of cellular growth, maturation and differentiation, extracellular matrix formation, immunoregulation, and apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in serum TGF-β1 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in infertile women following intrauterine insemination (IUI) according to the presence of pregnancy. Sixty-three infertile patients were selected for the study in a nine-month period. Clomiphene citrate or recombinant gonadotropins were used for ovulation induction, and all patients underwent IUI following human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger. The pregnant and non-pregnant groups’ TGF-β1 and CRP levels were measured. The CRP levels increased significantly from the day of the hCG trigger to the 8th day after hCG trigger in the non-pregnant group (P = 0.003) whereas TGF-β1 levels decreased in the pregnant group (P = 0.001). Maternal inflammatory responses play an important role in the occurrence of pregnancy. Changes in the levels of TGF-β1 and CRP may have a role in the outcome of IUI. Serial measurements of TGF-β1 and C-reactive protein, if confirmed by larger studies, may become valuable in predicting the outcome of IUI.