Involvement of interleukin-1 and the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in in vitro embryo development among women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the roles of Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), in in vitro embryo development and subsequent pregnancy outcome.


METHODS
Maternal serum utilized to supplement embryo growth in IVF cycles was analyzed for the presence of IL-1 cytokines.


RESULTS
The maternal serum that was utilized to supplement the embryo media was found to have measurable amounts of IL-1beta and IL-1ra.


CONCLUSIONS
Relative antagonism of the IL-1 system was positively associated with embryo development and pregnancy outcome.
Spandorfer
S D
SD
The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, The New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York 10021, USA. sdspando@pop.med.cornell.edu
Neuer
A
A
Liu
H C
HC
Rosenwaks
Z
Z
Witkin
S S
SS
D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
D007375:Interleukin-1; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1