Secretion of human leukocyte antigen-G by human embryos is associated with a higher in vitro fertilization pregnancy rate.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether secretion of soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) by human embryos is associated with embryo development and IVF pregnancy outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
In vitro fertilization program affiliated with a university research center.


METHODS
Infertile couples attending an IVF program were selected.


METHODS
Embryo culture conditioned medium (72 hours) from cases in which intracytoplasmic sperm injection was used for fertilization.


METHODS
Soluble HLA-G in embryo culture medium samples from IVF patients was assayed and associations between soluble HLA-G secretion and outcome measures were analyzed.


RESULTS
Two hundred seventy of 386 samples had detectable soluble HLA-G. Soluble HLA-G secretion was independent of embryo grade or patients' age. The cleavage rate of embryos secreting soluble HLA-G was significantly higher than that of those lacking it (blastomere number 6.71 +/- 0.09 vs. 5.86 +/- 0.22). The live birth rate from embryos with soluble HLA-G was significantly higher than that of those without (48.4% vs. 17.1%, chi(2) = 9.09). Combining soluble HLA-G detection and cleavage rate was most predictive of pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our five conclusions are as follows: [1] embryonic secretion of soluble HLA-G protein is variable, [2] secretion of HLA-G is correlated with a higher cleavage rate, [3] secretion of HLA-G is associated with a higher pregnancy rate, [4] HLA-G secretion is a better independent predictor than cleavage rate alone, and [5] the combination of soluble HLA-G detection and high cleavage rate was the best predictor of outcome.
Yie
Shang-mian
SM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontartio, Canada.
Balakier
Hanna
H
Motamedi
Gelareh
G
Librach
Clifford L
CL
D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I