CYTOKINES IN IMPLANTATION

The process of implantation in the human involves 'invasion' of the ma ternal endometrium by the trophoblast surrounding the developing blast ocyst, in response to which there is a cellular reaction in the endome trium. The overall situation has some features analogous to invasion b y a tumour and some which are more characteristic of an inflammatory r esponse, In addition, and also in common with cancer and inflammation, there is a release of biologically active molecules, including cytoki nes, at and around the implantation site. It is believed that these cy tokines may play an important role in the successful establishment of the pregnancy; the evidence for this belief is examined in this review .