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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Culture of Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Differentiated Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages
Published on: June 30, 2016
[Measurement of macrophage colony-stimulating factor during in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycles]
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, The First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Objective:
To explore the influences of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on follicle development, ovulation, fertilization and embryo quality during in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles.
Methods:
36 patients underwent 54 cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-human menopausal goudotropin-human chorionic gonadotropin for IVF-ET program. M-CSF concentrations in serum were measured at early follicular phase, mid-follicular phase and the day of oocyte retrieval by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Follicular fluid (FF) on the day of egg retrieval was also measured for M-CSF concentration.
Results:
M-CSF concentration in serum gradually increased throughout ovarian hyperstimulation and reached a peak on the day of oocyte retrieval. M-CSF concentration in FF was significantly higher than that in serum on the same day (P < 0.01). The M-CSF concentration in FF from follicles where oocytes could be retrieved, fertilized or with a diameter > or 16 mm, volume > or 2 ml, was significantly higher than those from follicles where oocyte could not be retrieved, fertilized or with a diameter < 16 mm, volume < 2 ml, respectively (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in M-CSF concentration of FF between high and low embryo grade groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
M-CSF may play an important role as an intraovarian regulator in the process of follicle development, maturation and ovulation. Therefore, M-CSF may exert an effect on fertilization process but not on the embryo quality.

