Abstract: Objective To study the effect of inflammatory markers on the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers in granulosa cells of patients without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Fifty patients without PCOS treated with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were selected in this study. The granulosa cells were extracted and cultured in vitro. Cells were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The 5 nmol/L interleukin (IL)- 1, IL- 6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were given to treatment group, and same amount of inflammatory diluted solution was added to control group. The levels of ROS and copy numbers of mtDNA were compared between two groups. Results The ROS levels and mtDNA copy number of granulosa cells were significantly higher in IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α treatment groups than those of control group (P＜ 0.05). Conclusion Inflammatory markers of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α increase the level of ROS and damage mtDNA in granulosa cells.

Key words: interleukins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, reactive oxygen species, DNA, mitochondrial, granulosa cells