Discordant secretion of pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin by human pre-embryos cultured in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To study and compare the secretion of pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by human pre-embryos, cultured in vitro, with their respective morphological development.


METHODS
Spare human pre-embryos from randomly selected women participating in a program of in vitro fertilization (IVF) were studied prospectively.


METHODS
Pre-embryos were cultured, and hormone release was determined in academic research laboratories.


METHODS
Pre-embryos (n = 108) cultured for 14 days after fertilization in Ham's F-10 medium (GIBCO Ltd., Paisley, Scotland) were observed, and hCG and SP1 were measured in the culture media at regular intervals.


METHODS
Discordant secretion of SP1 and hCG.


RESULTS
Of the 98 bipronucleate pre-embryos, 53.6% formed blastocysts, 17.3% of which hatched. Human chorionic gonadotropin was detected from day 7 after fertilization concomitantly with blastocyst formation, thereafter showing a logarithmic increase (maximum 10,650 mIU) until the first signs of embryonic disintegration. Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein release started 3 to 4 days after fertilization independently of the morphological development and the future production of hCG, thereafter displaying a nonlogarithmic increase (maximum 41 ng).


CONCLUSIONS
Hormone secretion and morphological development are unique for each pre-embryo. Human chorionic gonadotropin and SP1 seem to have different biochemical and physiological regulation.
Dimitriadou
F
F
University of Athens, Areteion University Hospital, Greece.
Phocas
I
I
Mantzavinos
T
T
Sarandakou
A
A
Rizos
D
D
Zourlas
P A
PA
D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D009028:Morula / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011268:Pregnancy-Specific beta 1-Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011268:Pregnancy-Specific beta 1-Glycoproteins