Interferon-Gamma Production by the Human Preimplantation Embryo

• Published in: American journal of reproductive immunology (1989) 1997-06, Vol.37 (6), p.435-437
• Main Authors: ÖZörnek, M. H., Bielfeld, P., Krüssel, J. S., Copisti, S., Jeyendran, R. S., Koldovsky, U.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blastocyst - metabolism; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; HLA-G; Hormone metabolism and regulation; human embryo; Humans; interferon gamma; Interferon-gamma - biosynthesis; Interferon-gamma - genetics; Male; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 1046-7408; 8755-8920; 1600-0897
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1997.tb00256.x

PROBLEM: This study demonstrated that the human embryo produces interferon‐gamma (IFNγ). It is important to know whether IFNγ can be produced before implantation. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of IFNγ production between days 2 and 5 after in vitro fertilization. METHOD: Twenty embryos were cultured from day 2 to 5 after fertilization. The embryo stages were checked each day and the media refreshed. IFNγ levels were estimated by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: All embryos produced measurable IFNγ at least for 1 day. Yields of IFNγ were: 0.46 ± 0.45 (n = 4) on day 2, 0.69 ± 0.52 (n = 19) on day 3, 0.73 ± 0.52 (n = 15) on day 4, 0.55 ± 0.32 (n = 11) IU/ml on day 5, respectively. There was no significant difference in the IFNγ production between in vitro culture days or between the developmental stages of embryos. CONCLUSION: IFNγ is produced by all the embryos and seems to peak between days 3 and 4, which is just before implantation.