Interleukin-1 levels in the supernatant of conditioned media of embryos grown in autologous endometrial coculture: Correlation with outcome after in vitro fertilization

PROBLEM: To determine if interleukin (IL)-1 produced by autologous endometr ial coculture (AECC) was associated with outcome in patients with a history of multiple in vitro fertilization (IVF) failures. METHOD OF STUDY: The conditioned media (CM) from AECC cells exposed or non- exposed to human embryos was analyzed for IL-1. RESULTS: Embryos grown on AECC demonstrated a significant improvement in nu mber of blastomeres and fragmentation (frag) when compared to embryos grown in conventional media without ECC (6.4 +/- 1.3 vs, 5.5 +/- 1.2 blastomeres and 14.6 +/- 9.3% vs. 18.4 +/- 9.8% frag; P < 0.008 and 0.003, respectivel y). When IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were undetectable in the CM. the embryos grown in ECC were of improved quality as compared to the embryos grown only in conventional media, Conversely, IL-1ra levels in the CM were positively associated with embryo quality. Exposure or non-exposure to an embryo did not result in differing levels of IL-1 alpha IL-1 beta, or IL-1ra in the CM . IL-1B levels were negatively associated with clinical pregnancy outcome ( 3.3 pg/mL (pregnant, n = 12) vs. 27.1pg/mL (not pregnant, n = 17); P = 0.00 8, Mann-Whitney U-test). IL-1 alpha and IL-1ra levels were not associated w ith outcome. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a significant improvement in blastomere n umber and frag with ECC. The presence of IL-1 beta in the Chi was negativel y associated with embryonic development and clinical pregnancy. The presenc e of IL-1 alpha in the CM was negatively associated with embryonic developm ent and the presence of IL-1ra in the CM was positively associated with emb ryonic development, Whether IL-1 beta itself interferes with successful out come after embryo transfer or if it is a marker for undetected endometritis in the biopsy specimens remains to be determined.