Biomaterial Database

Lack of evidence for the production of interferon-alpha-like species by the cultured human pre-embryo. 1994

L K Gunn, and S T Homa, and M J Searle, and T Chard

Department of Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, UK.

The aim of this study was to determine if the human pre-embryo produces a substance similar to the trophoblast interferon secreted by ruminant trophoblasts. Human embryos surplus to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment were cultured up to 14 days following IVF. Viable cultures were determined by microscopic examination and by assay of the culture medium for human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Four stages of development were visually identified: pre-blastocyst, unhatched, part-hatched and fully hatched blastocyst. HCG was detected in medium which had contained the more developmentally advanced embryos. A total of 62 samples were assayed for human interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), including all cultures presumed viable. None contained detectable IFN-alpha immunoreactivity. Out of 14 candidate samples subjected to cytopathic effect reduction assay, none contained antiviral activity. We suggest that a trophoblast-derived interferon, unlike HCG, does not play a significant role in the maternal recognition of pregnancy in humans.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D001755	Blastocyst	A post-MORULA preimplantation mammalian embryo that develops from a 32-cell stage into a fluid-filled hollow ball of over a hundred cells. A blastocyst has two distinctive tissues. The outer layer of trophoblasts gives rise to extra-embryonic tissues. The inner cell mass gives rise to the embryonic disc and eventual embryo proper.	Embryo, Preimplantation,Blastocysts,Embryos, Preimplantation,Preimplantation Embryo,Preimplantation Embryos
D005260	Female		Females
D005307	Fertilization in Vitro	An assisted reproductive technique that includes the direct handling and manipulation of oocytes and sperm to achieve fertilization in vitro.	Test-Tube Fertilization,Fertilizations in Vitro,In Vitro Fertilization,Test-Tube Babies,Babies, Test-Tube,Baby, Test-Tube,Fertilization, Test-Tube,Fertilizations, Test-Tube,In Vitro Fertilizations,Test Tube Babies,Test Tube Fertilization,Test-Tube Baby,Test-Tube Fertilizations
D006063	Chorionic Gonadotropin	A gonadotropic glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by the PLACENTA. Similar to the pituitary LUTEINIZING HORMONE in structure and function, chorionic gonadotropin is involved in maintaining the CORPUS LUTEUM during pregnancy. CG consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is virtually identical to the alpha subunits of the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH, and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity (CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN, BETA SUBUNIT, HUMAN).	Chorionic Gonadotropin, Human,HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin),Biogonadil,Choriogonadotropin,Choriogonin,Chorulon,Gonabion,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin,Pregnyl,Gonadotropin, Chorionic,Gonadotropin, Human Chorionic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016898	Interferon-alpha	One of the type I interferons produced by peripheral blood leukocytes or lymphoblastoid cells. In addition to antiviral activity, it activates NATURAL KILLER CELLS and B-LYMPHOCYTES, and down-regulates VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR expression through PI-3 KINASE and MAPK KINASES signaling pathways.	Interferon Alfa,Interferon, Leukocyte,Interferon, Lymphoblast,alpha-Interferon,IFN-alpha D,IFN-alpha5,Interferon alpha-1,Interferon alpha-17,Interferon alpha-4,Interferon alpha-5,Interferon alpha-7,Interferon alpha-88,Interferon alpha-J,Interferon alpha-T,Interferon alpha4,Interferon alpha5,Interferon, Lymphoblastoid,Interferon, alpha,LeIF I,LeIF J,Leif D,IFN alpha D,IFN alpha5,Interferon alpha,Interferon alpha 1,Interferon alpha 17,Interferon alpha 4,Interferon alpha 5,Interferon alpha 7,Interferon alpha 88,Interferon alpha J,Interferon alpha T,Leukocyte Interferon,Lymphoblast Interferon,Lymphoblastoid Interferon,alpha Interferon
D046508	Culture Techniques	Methods of maintaining or growing biological materials in controlled laboratory conditions. These include the cultures of CELLS; TISSUES; organs; or embryo in vitro. Both animal and plant tissues may be cultured by a variety of methods. Cultures may derive from normal or abnormal tissues, and consist of a single cell type or mixed cell types.	Culture Technique,Technique, Culture,Techniques, Culture