INTERLEUKIN-1 SYSTEM DURING HUMAN IMPLANT ATION

Although the immune and reproductive systems have been considered inde pendent of each other, the cooperation of both systems are now known t o be crucial for the initiation and maintenance of mammalian pregnancy . Nowadays cytokines and growth factors have became increasingly impli cated in embryonic implantation. Endometrial functions, embryonic secr etions and embryo-endometrial interactions require a continuous dialog ue and synchronism between both partners (endometrium and embryo). The present review focuses on the Interleukin-1 system as an example of l ocal regulator in embryonic implantation, Evidence demonstrating ifs p resence and relevance on human endometrium physiology and human preimp lantation embryonic development are presented. Furthermore, we describ ed data suggesting the possible role of this cytokine in human implant ation.