Effect of hydrosalpinx fluid on secretion of trophoblastic matrix metalloproteinases.

Objective: To determine if hydrosalpinx fluid affects trophoblastic metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion.

Design: Measurement of the effect of hydrosalpinx and peritoneal fluids (as controls) added to the medium on the MMPs secreted by cytotrophoblastic cells.

Setting: Academic research center.

Patient(s): Five samples of hydrosalpinx fluid were obtained at the time of ovocyte retrieval. Three samples of peritoneal fluids were collected at laparoscopic sterilization.

Main Outcome Measure(s): The concentration and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, the concentration of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1), and the total gelatinolytic activity of the cytotrophoblastic cells were measured in the culture medium.

Result(s): Hydrosalpinx significantly stimulated MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1. The net result was a significant stimulation of the total gelatinolytic activity. Peritoneal fluids increased MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 concentrations, but the total gelatinolytic activity was not modified.

Conclusion(s): In contrast to peritoneal fluids, hydrosalpinx stimulates the total gelatinolytic activity of cytotrophoblastic cells. This might indicate that the effect of hydrosalpinx on implantation rates may not be due to an inhibition of the capacity of an embryo to invade the endometrium. However, the stimulatory effect of hydrosalpinx on the net gelatinolytic activity could partly explain the increased incidence of ectopic pregnancies that have been described in the presence of hydrosalpinx.