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Use of lymphocyte platelet binding assay for detecting a preimplantation factor: a quantitative assay
E R Barnea1, K I Lahijani, R Roussev
1Reproductive Immunology, Genetics & IVF Institute, Fairfax, VA 22031.
Problem:
To evaluate the ability of the lymphocyte/platelet binding assay to identify a preimplantation factor (PIF).
Method:
Percentages of binding of lymphocytes by platelets in the presence of sera from 30 known pregnant and 30 nonpregnant individuals were compared using a novel lymphocyte/platelet binding assay. The assay is performed using a combination of a heat inactivated sera with donor O+lymphocytes, activated complement and an antibody against CD2 (T11, Ortho Pharmaceuticals).
Results:
In nonpregnant females (23.6 +/- 6.5%) and males (17.7 +/- 4.7%) the percentage of lymphocytes bound by platelets was significantly different from pregnant women (56.1 +/- 15.9%) (P < 0.0001). Serial sampling of blood in five women undergoing IVF/ET who had normal pregnancies showed the detection of PIF by 4 days after transfer. The lymphocyte/platelet binding assay was not influenced by hCG, progesterone and estradiol. The interassay and intrassay variabilities were < 3%.
Conclusions:
The lymphocyte/platelet binding assay is a simple, reproducible, specific and cost efficient assay for measurement of PIF. Application of this assay will provide investigative and diagnostic tools for identifying and monitoring early pregnancy events.