Interleukin-6 levels in co-culture of human in vitro fertilization embryos with Vero cells are not predictive of future successful development.
OBJECTIVE
In an attempt to predict successful embryo transfer and implantation, we measured interleukin (IL)-6 levels in culture supernatants of co-cultured preimplantation human embryos. We tested whether all in vitro fertilized human embryos in co-cultures do secrete IL-6, and whether there was any difference in such production between embryos that successfully reached the blastocyst stage and blocked embryos. We also addressed the question of IL-6 secretion by co-culture support cells, namely Vero cells themselves.


METHODS
Each fertilized oocyte was cultured individually and transferred in culture wells supplemented with a feeder layer of Vero cells at day 2. In vitro IL-6 production was measured by bioassay of the culture media.


RESULTS
Because Vero cells themselves secrete IL-6, it became impossible, in co-culture, to quantify production of IL-6 by the sole embryos. On the other hand, the co-culture technique has shown us that embryos are likely to consume IL-6. There was no difference between blastocysts and blocked embryos.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-6 levels in human embryo co-cultures do not correlate with future successful embryo transfer.
Laprée-Delage
G
G
INSERM U131, Equipe Cytokines dans la relation materno-foetale, Bâtiment de Gynécologie Obstétrique, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France.
Volante
M
M
Frydman
R
R
Chaouat
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014709:Vero Cells
D003470:Culture Media; D015850:Interleukin-6