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Effect of interleukin-1 on gamete interaction and mouse embryo development
C E Sueldo1, E Kelly, L Montoro
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, San Francisco-Fresno 93702.
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) impairs sperm-egg interaction and early embryo development, potentially explaining infertility linked to early endometriosis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Early-stage endometriosis is linked to infertility, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Peritoneal macrophages produce interleukin-1 (IL-1), a cytokine implicated in inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on human gamete interaction and early embryo development.
- To elucidate the role of IL-1 in endometriosis-associated subfertility.
Main Methods:
- Human recombinant IL-1 was added to gamete coincubation assays, including the sperm penetration assay (SPA) and human zona pellucida assay (ZPPA).
- Sperm velocity and motility were analyzed after 24 hours.
- IL-1 was also added to cultured two-cell mouse embryos for 72 hours to assess developmental impact.
Main Results:
- IL-1 significantly impaired performance in both SPA and ZPPA compared to control conditions.
- No significant alterations in sperm velocity or motility were observed in the presence of IL-1.
- IL-1 demonstrated significant inhibition of mouse embryo development from the two-cell stage.
Conclusions:
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1) negatively impacts key aspects of human fertilization and early embryonic development.
- These findings suggest that elevated IL-1 levels in early endometriosis may contribute to subfertility by disrupting gamete function and embryo growth.