Interferon-gamma production by the human preimplantation embryo.
OBJECTIVE
This study demonstrated that the human embryo produces interferon-gamma (IFNgamma). It is important to know whether IFNgamma can be produced before implantation. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of IFNgamma production between days 2 and 5 after in vitro fertilization.


METHODS
Twenty embryos were cultured from day 2 to 5 after fertilization. The embryo stages were checked each day and the media refreshed. IFNgamma levels were estimated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
All embryos produced measurable IFNgamma at least for 1 day. Yields of IFNgamma were: 0.46 +/- 0.45 (n = 4) on day 2, 0.69 +/- 0.52 (n = 19) on day 3, 0.73 +/- 0.52 (n = 15) on day 4, 0.55 +/- 0.32 (n = 11) IU/ml on day 5, respectively. There was no significant difference in the IFNgamma production between in vitro culture days or between the developmental stages of embryos.


CONCLUSIONS
IFNgamma is produced by all the embryos and seems to peak between days 3 and 4, which is just before implantation.
Ozornek
M H
MH
Department of OB/GYN, Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany.
Bielfeld
P
P
Krüssel
J S
JS
Cupisti
S
S
Jeyendran
R S
RS
Koldovsky
U
U
D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male
D007371:Interferon-gamma