Oil-Based Hysterosalpingography ?mproves Leukaemia ?nhibitory Factor Expression ?n Endometrial Flushing Samples

Objective: The biological mechanism of the fertility-enhancing effect of hysterosalpingography (HSG) is not fully known. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is an important cytokine involved in implantation. This study was planned to investigate the effect of HSG on LIF mRNA expression in endometrial flushing samples. Methods: Forty infertile patients scheduled for HSG were included in the study. Before HSG, endometrial flushing was performed in the mid-luteal phase, followed by contrast-medium infusion into the cavity. Second flushing was done in the mid-luteal phase of the next cycle. Ten patients who underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy were taken as the second control group. LIF mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR in endometrial flushing samples collected from each group. Results: The pre-HSG LIF mRNA levels of the infertile group were significantly lower than those of the fertile group. In infertile patients, LIF mRNA expression increased 3.2 times after HSG compared to baseline levels. LIF values reached fertile levels after HSG. While the LIF levels measured in the hysteroscopy group were significantly lower than in fertile patients, they were similar to the pre-HSG values of infertile patients. LIF levels of infertile patients after HSG were found to be significantly higher than those of the hysteroscopy group. Conclusions: In infertile patients, HSG contributes to receptivity by increasing LIF mRNA synthesis.