Role of Interleukin-I β in conception after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Objective: To identify the role of Interleukin-I Beta(IL- I ) in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Methods: The quasi-experimental study was conducted at an infertility clinic in Islamabad from June 2010 to August 2011, and comprised couples opting for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Down regulation of ovaries was followed by calculated stimulation, ovulation induction, oocytes retrieval, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, in vitro maturation of embryos and embryo transfer. Serum Interleukin-I Beta was measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay onovulation induction day. Patients were grouped as non-pregnant with beta human chorionic gonadotropin 5-25 mIU/ml, pre-clinical abortion; beta human chorionic gonadotropin 25 mIU/ml with no cardiac activity and clinical pregnancy with foetal heart confirmation by trans-vaginal scan after 4 weeks of transfer. SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of the total 323 patients initially registered, embryo transfer could be carried out in 282 (87.30%). Clinical pregnancy was achieved in 101(36%) patients, clinical abortions was the result in 61(22%) cases, while 120(42%) subjects did not conceive at all. Clinical pregnancy was achieved in subjects with high mean Interleukin-I Beta levels; 155.84±51.65 compared to 41.81±11.77and 118.46±35.62pg/mlin non-pregnant, preclinical abortion groups respectively (p=0.001). Conclusion: The production of Interleukin-I Beta was associated with oocyte maturation, fertilisation, endometrial receptivity and implantation in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection.