BACKGROUND: The objective of this prospective controlled trial was to investigate the ability of a group of serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) markers to predict, non-surgically, endometriosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum and PF samples were obtained from 130 women while undergoing laparoscopy for pain, infertility, tubal ligation or sterilization reversal. Concentrations of six cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-13 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α] were measured in serum and PF, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PF, and levels were compared among women who were allocated to groups according to their post-surgical diagnosis. Fifty-six patients were diagnosed with endometriosis, eight with idiopathic infertility, 27 underwent tubal ligation or reanastomosis (control group) and 39 were excluded due to bloody PF. Only serum IL-6 and PF TNF-α could be used to discriminate between patients with and without endometriosis with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity (P < 0.001). A threshold of 15 pg/ml PF TNF-α provided 100% sensitivity and 89% specificity (positive likelihood ratio of 9.1 and negative likelihood ratio of 0). A threshold of 2 pg/ml for serum IL-6 provided a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 67% (positive likelihood ratio of 2.7 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: By measuring serum IL-6 and PF TNF-α, it was possible to discriminate between patients with endometriosis and those without. Before these markers can be used as a non-surgical diagnostic tool, these data should be verified in a larger study.

Time-lapse imaging combined with embryo morphokinetics may offer a non-invasive means for improving embryo selection. Data from clinics worldwide are necessary to compare and ultimately develop embryo classifications models using kinetic data. The primary objective of this study was to determine if there were kinetic differences between embryos with limited potential and those more often associated with in vitro blastocyst formation and/or implantation. We also wanted to compare putative kinetic markers for embryo selection as proposed by other laboratories to what we were observing in our own laboratory setting.

Endometriosis is a relatively common chronic gynecologic disorder that usually presents with chronic pelvic pain or infertility. The societal effect of this disorder is enormous both in monetary costs and in quality of life. The diagnosis of the disease can only be definitively made with surgical intervention. Fertility may be enhanced with surgical intervention, but medical suppressive therapy has no role apart from in vitro fertilization. Assisted reproductive technology is associated with excellent outcomes. Management of endometriomas is particularly complex because surgical intervention may reduce ovarian reserve. Both medical and surgical treatment of endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain are effective in the short-term. Recurrence is common with both modalities. Recurrence after surgical intervention can be decreased with the use of postoperative suppressive medical therapy such as hormonal contraceptives. This article presents the different types of peritoneal disease found in endometriosis patients. The technique used to safely and completely remove the disease is discussed. The specific areas of involvement include the pelvic side wall, the cul-de-sac, and bladder peritoneum.