Immunosuppressive properties of follicular fluid and media conditioned by zygotes correlate with subsequent conception in in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective in this study was to correlate immunosuppressive properties of follicular fluid (FF) and media conditioned by zygotes and early embryos with the occurrence of conception in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.


METHODS
Fifty-seven IVF patients were studied. Donor lymphocytes were incubated with mitogens and FF from mature oocytes or conditioned media from zygotes and early embryos. Proliferation was assessed by radioactive thymidine incorporation. Proliferation Index (PI) was the ratio between radioactive labeling of lymphocytes incubated in the presence and absence of a mitogen.


RESULTS
The FFs and media conditioned by zygotes from conception cycles had higher immunosuppressive activity than those from non-conception cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunosuppressive activity present in FF and media conditioned by zygotes may be a major determinant of conception in IVF, and may serve as a marker for embryo quality.
Dirnfeld
Martha
M
In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carmel Medical Center and the Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Lahat
Nitza
N
Daniel-Spiegel
Etty
E
Wiener-Megnazi
Zofnat
Z
Goldman
Shlomit
S
Abramovici
Haim
H
Shalev
Eliezer
E
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000187:drug effects*; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents