Expression of Interleukin-1 System Genes in Human Gametes1

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Abstract
There is considerable evidence that the interleukin-1 (IL-1) system plays an important role in ovarian and testicular physiology, implantation, and other reproductive events. Human embryos express IL-1β, IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RtI), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) at both the mRNA and protein levels. The presence of IL-1α and IL-1β in oocyte-conditioned media and on the surface of human oocytes suggests that these cells may also produce this cytokine; however, whether the IL-1 system gene products are present as stable mRNAs in human gametes (oocytes and spermatozoa) has not yet been demonstrated.