The impact of infertility on serum heat shock protein 70, adropin and orexin levels in women: a case-control study, Вплив безпліддя на рівень білка теплового шоку 70, адропіну та орексину в сироватці крові жінок: дослідження типу «випадок — контроль»

<jats:p>Background. Infertility is a major reproductive health issue affecting millions of women worldwide. Recent studies have highlighted the potential roles of metabolic and neuroendocrine peptides, including heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), adropin and orexin, in reproductive physiology. This study purposed to evaluate serum levels of HSP70, adropin and orexin in infertile women compared to fertile controls. Materials and methods. This case-control research, which involved 60 women with primary infertility, was carried out in Baghdad, Iraq. Control group included 30 age-matched healthy fertile women. The age of participants ranged from 20 to 45 years. Diagnosis of infertility was confirmed through hormonal profiling (follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone) and ultrasonography. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum HSP70, adropin and orexin. Mean hormone content in each group were compared using statistical analysis. Results. When compared to the control group of fertile women, there was a significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin levels and no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) in luteinizing hormone. The difference in follicle-stimulating hormone content between body mass index groups was significant (P &gt; 0.05), and no significant difference was found in age groups. The results showed that adropin levels in the primary infertility group decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.05), with significant increase in HSP70 and orexin when compared to control group. There was a positive correlation between luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin, prolactin and follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin, while strong negative correlation was found between adropin and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Conclusions. Lower levels of adropin and orexin in infertile women may reflect impaired metabolic and neuroendocrine pathways contributing to infertility. These biomarkers could serve as potential indicators for reproductive dysfunction.</jats:p>