Prediction of successful embryo implantation by measuring interleukin-1-alpha and immunosuppressive factor(s) in preimplantation embryo culture fluid.

To find a better predictor of pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF), supernatant fluids from embryo culture media were analyzed after 24 hours and 48 hours for the presence of interleukin-1-alpha (IL-1), interleukin-2, and the percent of immunosuppression. The measurements were performed on 108 consecutive IVF cycles between June 1989 and October 1989. The IL-1 level +/- SD in the 24-hour aliquots of the supernatant of embryo culture fluid was 66.2 +/- 10.2 pg/mL in all viable pregnancy cycles and 35.4 +/- 9.01 pg/mL in unsuccessful cycles. The percent of immunosuppression after 24 hours was 22.06% +/- 4.5% in viable pregnancy cycles and 7.3 +/- 5.5% in unsuccessful cycles. The percent of immunosuppression 48 hours after ovum pick-up was generally decreased in all embryo culture fluid, showing 17.5% +/- 4.4% in viable pregnancy cycles and 3.8% +/- 3.6% in unsuccessful cycles. Interleukin-1 levels in the 48-hour aliquots were moderately decreased, being 39.0 +/- 6.3 pg/mL in viable pregnancy cycles and 34.3 +/- 4.7 pg/mL in the unsuccessful cycles. In 24 hours, embryo culture aliquots IL-1 level greater than 60 pg/mL was seen in 17 of 21 (80.9%) pregnancy cycles, and the combined data of IL-1 level greater than 60 pg/mL and/or greater than 20 percent of immunosuppression predicted 21 of 21 (100%) pregnancy cycles.