Progesterone-induced blocking factor-mediated Th1/Th2 balance correlates with fetal arrest in women who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

The role of progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF)-mediated Th1/Th2 balance in delivery outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, 73 infertile women with successful IVF-ET were enrolled (16 fetal arrests and 57 live births). PIBF and IL-4 levels were significantly lower in the fetal arrest group than in the live birth group (p < 0.05). TNF-alpha level and Th1/Th2 ratios were significantly higher in the fetal arrest group than in the live birth group (p < 0.05). High TNF-alpha level and Th1/Th2 ratios were risk factors for fetal arrest, whereas increased PIBF and IL-4 levels were protective factors (P < 0.05). Increased TNF-alpha/IL-4 exhibited relatively strong predictive value for fetal arrest (AUC, 0.855; sensitivity, 93.8%; specificity, 71.9%). In summary, the PIBF-mediated Th1/Th2 balance is closely correlated with delivery outcomes of IVF-ET. TNF-alpha/IL-4 may be a predictive marker of fetal arrest.

Automated summary

The study found that PIBF-mediated Th1/Th2 balance plays an important role in IVF-ET outcomes, with lower PIBF and IL-4 levels but higher TNF-alpha levels and Th1/Th2 ratios in the fetal arrest group compared to the live birth group. Increased TNF-alpha/IL-4 ratio may serve as a predictive marker for fetal arrest.