Cytokine profiling in endometrial secretions: a non-invasive window on endometrial receptivity

Abstract

Investigation of human embryo implantation requires a non-disruptive means of studying the endometrium during the window of implantation. This study describes a novel approach of cytokine profiling in endometrial secretions. Endometrial secretions aspirated prior to embryo transfer from 210 women undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection were analysed by a multiplex immunoassay. Ten mediators [interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-12, IL-18, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, eotaxin, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, interferon-gamma inducible protein-10, vascular endothelial growth factor] were detectable in 90-100% of the samples. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor, IL-5, IL-17, IL-10, Dickkopf homologue-1 and IL-15 were detected in 23-76%, whereas interferon-gamma was not detectable in any of the samples. To assess possible contamination of samples, cervical mucus was also aspirated for comparative analysis in 22 women. The endometrial cytokine profile differed significantly from cervical mucus. Pregnancy rates of the study participants who underwent endometrial secretion aspiration were compared with 210 controls matched for important prognostic variables; no significant differences were found. In conclusion, cytokine profiling in endometrial secretion offers an objective, non-disruptive means of analysing the in-vivo milieu encountered by the embryo and offers a new and potentially valuable approach to studying the endometrial factor in human embryo implantation.

Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis of Human Endometrial Fluid Aspirate

“…Interest in the protein content of endometrial secretions has gained much momentum in recent years and has been suggested to play a key role in the embryo implantation process. Therefore, differential proteomics of the eninsight to understand the mechanisms involved in the onset of endometrial pathologies and the process of embryo implantation [2].…”

63 Effect of Endometrial Biopsy on Uterine Health of Tropically Adapted Beef Cattle

“…This issue should be addressed based on the analysis to be undertaken. For instance, blood contamination recovered from ALF samples in women was a confounder factor when analysing pro-inflammatory cytokines since red cells interfered with the measurements of pro-inflammatory cytokines in uterine fluid aspirated from women (Boomsma et al, 2009b).…”

The role of immunological markers in assessment of implantation uterus receptivity - clinical implications.

“…Badania takie mogłyby być niezwykle użyteczne przy określaniu optymalnego czasu transferu zarodka do macicy w procedurze IVF, jeszcze w tym samym cyklu, w którym przeprowadzono badanie wydzieliny. Dalsze badania powinny skupić się na wyjaśnieniu zmian poziomu poszczególnych markerów podczas cyklu miesięcznego kobiety, dopuszczalnej zmienności w poziomach markerów pomiędzy cyklami i opracowania zakresu wartości prawidłowych poszczególnych markerów w poszczególnych fazach cyklu [27,28].…”

“…[27] dokonali analizy składu cytokin w wydzielinie macicy oraz śluzu szyjkowego kobiet w okresie receptywności doczesnej. Wśród wykrytych substancji znalazło się wiele czynników o różnych funkcjach i właś-ciwościach, np.…”