Early serum interleukin-8 evaluation may prove useful in localizing abnormally implanted human gestations after in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether early measurement of the serum cytokines interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), IL-6, and IL-8 along with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone (P(4)) can differentiate an ectopic from an intrauterine gestation.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
University-based fertility center.


METHODS
75 women who underwent treatment with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and subsequently had an ectopic gestation (n = 15), spontaneous abortion (SAB) (n = 30), or term delivery (TD) (n = 30).


METHODS
Serum samples were obtained 14 (day 28) and 21 (day 35) days after oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
Serum concentrations of IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, P(4), and hCG.


RESULTS
Median hCG readings on day 28 and day 35 were statistically significantly lower in the ectopic gestation group than in those with spontaneous abortion or term delivery. On day 28, median IL-8 levels were lower in the ectopic gestation group when compared with all intrauterine gestations combined. No statistically significant differences in IL-2R or IL-6 levels were noted between groups. Despite P(4) supplementation, median day-35 P(4) levels were lower in ectopic gestation than in the spontaneous abortion and term delivery cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
In the setting of a rise or plateau in hCG levels, low day-28 IL-8 and day-35 P(4) levels suggested an extrauterine implantation. This assay combination may facilitate earlier diagnosis of an ectopic gestation when pregnancy location is unclear.
Morelli
Sara S
SS
New York University Fertility Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Keegan
Debbra A
DA
Krey
Lewis C
LC
Katz
Joseph
J
Liu
Mengling
M
Noyes
Nicole
N
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood*; D050498:Live Birth; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015415:Biomarkers; C508606:CXCL8 protein, human; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011374:Progesterone