Cytokines and embryo/endometrial interactions

Experimental animal models have shown that the in vitro embryo culture involved in many treatments for infertility results in a dramatic reduction in embryo viability. Recent advances in methodology such as RT-PCR for localization and quantitation of cytokines and their receptors, are revealing the role that this group of growth factors plays in the basic physiology of embryo development and the process of implantation itself. These studies offer the likelihood of dramatically improving in vitro embryo culture in humans and other species by supplementation of culture medium with growth factors or antagonists to improve embryo viability and hence implantation rates.