Involvement of interleukin-1 and the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in in vitro embryo development among women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Overview

PURPOSE: 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.