Determination of IL-1 and IL-6 levels in human embryo culture-conditioned media

PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 in 24-hour human embryo culture-conditioned media (HECCM) and to find any embryo-related factor(s) to predict pregnancy during IVF procedure. METHOD: IL-1 beta and IL-6 levels were measured in 36 samples of HECCM and 17 cell culture media that had not been exposed to embryos, which were used as controls. Both cytokine levels were measured by the ELISA technique, using commercially available kits. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We found an average IL-1 beta level +/- SEM of 82 +/- 4 pg/ml (n=11) in HECCM from viable pregnancies and a significantly lower value, 14 +/- 2 pg/ml (n=25, P<0,001), in HECCM from embryos that did not lead to viable pregnancies, In control media the average IL-1 beta level was 11 +/- 1 pg/ml (n=17), (P<0.001 vs, HECCM from viable pregnancies). In contrast IL-6 levels were undetectable in all samples analyzed. Judging by our results we suggest that measurement of IL-1 level in HECCM could be a useful parameter for predicting implantation in techniques of assisted reproduction.