Presence of hydrosalpinx correlated to endometrial inflammatory response in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the inflammatory response and mediators in the endometrium of patients with hydrosalpinges compared with normal controls. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Urban medical center. PATIENT(S) AND INTERVENTION(S): Hysterectomy samples were identified as being affected by hydrosalpinx or salpingitis (n = 30) and were age-matched with control samples (n = 30). INTERVENTIONS: Fallopian tube and endometrial slides were analyzed for leukocytes and immunohistochemical techniques performed for cytokines (interleukin-2 [IL-2]). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Evaluate and compare the endometrial inflammatory response (leukocytes and cytokines) from samples affected and non-affected by hydrosalpinx and salpingitis. RESULT(S): Examination of tubal and endometrial slides with hydrosalpinx demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the number of overall inflammatory cells. High-intensity immunohistochemical staining for IL-2 was demonstrated in 7.4% of controls versus 65% of cases. CONCLUSION(S): A defined, identifiable, local response to hydrosalpingeal fluid has been demonstrated in the endometrium. This response consists of statistically significant elevations of leukocytes and IL-2. An inflammatory endometrial response may be an independent contributor to the decreased reproductive outcome observed in patients with hydrosalpinges.