EFFECTS OF SERUM FROM PREGNANT VERSUS NONPREGNANT WOMEN ON NATURAL-KILLER-CELL ACTIVITY

PROBLEM: To lest the effect of serum obtained from in vitro fertilizat ion-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients on the healthy volunteers natura l killer (NK) cell activity. METHOD OF STUDY: Retrospective non-random ized clinical study. Suppressive effect on NK cell activity was measur ed with serum obtained from 25 pregnant and 24 non-pregnant women duri ng IVF-ET procedure. RESULTS: Suppressive serum effect of volunteers' NK cell activity was significantly higher in pregnant than in non-preg nant women (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The suppressive activity of serum from pregnant women on NK cell suppression activity was useful in pred icting the establishment of a successful pregnancy.