Academic Editor: Antonio Simone Laganà
Background: The current study tested the level of endocan, which is
thought to have an effective role in both endothelial dysfunction and
inflammation, in infertile women with endometriosis treated with in
vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). It is based on
the hypothesis of chronic inflammation in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
Methods: This prospective case–control study included a total of 64
women who were in the IVF/ICSI program. The women were divided into two groups:
endometriosis (n = 32) and non-endometriosis (n = 32). Their baseline
characteristics, stimulation parameters, and IVF/ICSI outcomes (clinical
pregnancy and live birth rates) were recorded. Blood samples collected at the
beginning of the IVF cycle for endocan levels were analyzed with a sandwich
enzyme immunoassay and the results were documented. Results: The endocan
levels in the endometriosis group were significantly higher than those in the
non-endometriosis group, i.e., 5010 pg/mL and 2738 pg/mL, respectively
(p