Ivan Bochev1, Kalina Belemezova2, Atanas Shterev3, Stanimir Kyurkchiev2,4. 1. IVF Department, Ob/Gyn Hospital Dr. Shterev, 25-31 Hristo Blagoev Str., 1330, Sofia, Bulgaria. lakatush@yahoo.com. 2. Tissue bank BULGEN, 25-31 Hristo Blagoev Str., 1330, Sofia, Bulgaria. 3. IVF Department, Ob/Gyn Hospital Dr. Shterev, 25-31 Hristo Blagoev Str., 1330, Sofia, Bulgaria. 4. Institute of Reproductive Health, 25-31 Hristo Blagoev Str., 1330, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Along with comparative investigation of the decidualization potential and IL-6 secretion by fresh and frozen ESCs, we also aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of co-culture systems based on fresh or frozen ESCs in terms of clinical pregnancy rates. METHODS: Outcome analysis of a total of 215 IVF cycles with co-culture with fresh or frozen ESCs was performed. Endometrial tissue was obtained from 17 healthy donors. Concentrations of secreted prolactin, IGFBP-1, and IL-6 in conditioned media from cultured fresh and frozen ESCs (decidualized or not) were measured using ELISA or ECLIA. RESULTS: Embryo co-culture with frozen ESCs resulted in a much lower pregnancy rate compared to the alternative system using fresh ESCs. Furthermore, cultivated frozen ESCs showed considerably decreased release of prolactin, IGFBP-1, and IL-6 compared to fresh ESCs, indicating that cryopreservation negatively affects their decidualization potential and cytokine production. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, this data illustrates the need for optimization and improvement of the existing autologous endometrial co-culture systems.
PURPOSE: Along with comparative investigation of the decidualization potential and IL-6 secretion by fresh and frozen ESCs, we also aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of co-culture systems based on fresh or frozen ESCs in terms of clinical pregnancy rates. METHODS: Outcome analysis of a total of 215 IVF cycles with co-culture with fresh or frozen ESCs was performed. Endometrial tissue was obtained from 17 healthy donors. Concentrations of secreted prolactin, IGFBP-1, and IL-6 in conditioned media from cultured fresh and frozen ESCs (decidualized or not) were measured using ELISA or ECLIA. RESULTS: Embryo co-culture with frozen ESCs resulted in a much lower pregnancy rate compared to the alternative system using fresh ESCs. Furthermore, cultivated frozen ESCs showed considerably decreased release of prolactin, IGFBP-1, and IL-6 compared to fresh ESCs, indicating that cryopreservation negatively affects their decidualization potential and cytokine production. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, this data illustrates the need for optimization and improvement of the existing autologous endometrial co-culture systems.