Does sexual intercourse during IVF/ICSI cycle affect endometrial thickness in the presence of immunohormonal markers of stress in the seminal plasma?


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Abstract

Men’s stress may alter the concentration of immunological and hormonal factors in seminal plasma, which, on entering the female reproductive tract during sexual intercourse, may affect endometrial development. Objective: To investigate the relationship between endometrial thickness in women having intercourse during the proliferative phase of the IVF/ICSI cycle and the content of immunological and endocrine stress markers in the partner's seminal plasma. Materials and methods: This prospective study included 71 couples with tubal infertility factor having unprotected intercourse during the proliferative phase of IVF/ICSI cycle, supplemented with intravaginal injection of seminal plasma on the day of transvaginal ovarian puncture. The retrospective pilot study included couples with IVF/ICSI success (group 1, n=7) and IVF/ICSI failure (group 2, n=9). They were comparable by clinical, demographic and laboratory parameters, but differed in the content of immunohormonal stress markers in the partner's seminal plasma. The groups were formed based on the content of cytokines IL-18 and IL-1P, steroid hormones, their precursors and seminal plasma metabolites. Endometrial thickness was measured by transvaginal ultrasound on the day of ovulation trigger. The cytokine content in seminal plasma was assessed by flow cytofluorometry and fluorescent microspheres using FlowCytomix technology. The concentration and total amount of steroids in seminal plasma were determined using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Prospective and retrospective studies revealed a reduced endometrial thickness in the group of patients with an increased content of immunoendocrine stress markers in seminal plasma. There was a negative correlation between endometrial thickness and concentration and/or total amount of 17-a-hydroxypregnenolone, testosterone, progesterone, and cytokines IL-18, IL-1P in seminal plasma. The cortisol/DHEA ratio was positively associated with endometrial thickness. Conclusion: The study's finding suggested that stress-related seminal immunological and hormonal factors in the seminal plasma entering the female reproductive tract during sexual intercourse in the proliferative phase of the IVF/ICSI cycle may negatively impact endometrial development. However, further research is necessary to establish a causal link between the composition of seminal plasma and the endometrial status.

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About the authors

Marina A. Nikolaeva

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: mnikolaeva@oparina4.ru
Dr. Bio. Sci., Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of Clinical Imunology

Alina A. Babayan

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: a_babayan@oparina4.ru
PhD, Researcher at the IVF Department named after Prof. BV. Leonov

Alla S. Arefieva

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: a_arefyeva@oparina4.ru
Researcher at the Laboratory of Clinical Imunology

Vitaliy V. Chagovets

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: v_chagovets@oparina4.ru
PhD, Head of the laboratory of Metabolomics and Bioinformatics of the Department of Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine of the Institute of Translational Medicine

Natalia L. Starodubtseva

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: aurum19@mail.ru
PhD, Head of the laboratory of Clinical Proteomics of the Department of Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine of the Institute of Translational Medicine

Vladimir E. Frankevich

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: v_frankevich@oparina4.ru
Dr. Sci. (Physics and Mathematics), Deputy Director for Research, Head of the Department of Systems Biology in Reproduction

Elena A. Kalinina

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: e_kalinina@oparina4.ru
Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the IVF department named after Prof. BV. Leonov

Lyubov V. Krechetova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: l_krechetova@oparina4.ru
Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Laboratory of Clinical Imunology

Gennady T. Sukhikh

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: g_sukhikh@oparina4.ru
Academician of the RAS, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Director

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