Absence of immunoreactive cytokines in supernatants of individual preimplantation human embryos.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if it was possible to use commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits to quantitate specific cytokine production from individual embryos.


METHODS
We examined the supernatants of individual two to six cell preimplantation human embryos using commercially available kits for IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and LIF.


RESULTS
Cytokines were undetectable in all media samples analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
While it is possible that individual preimplantation embryos may produce cytokines, we believe these concentrations are below the detectable limits of the commercial assays used in this study.
Seifer
D B
DB
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women and Infants Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island.
Romero
R
R
Berlinsky
D
D
Haning
R V
RV
D001755:Blastocyst / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines