The Effect of Granulocyte-macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) During in Vitro Culture of Human Embryos on Subsequent Implantation Rates.

Throughout its development, the embryo is naturally exposed to a large number of cytokines and growth factors that are present in the woman's reproductive organs. A growing body of evidence indicates that these factors play a physiological role in the regulation of normal development of the pre-implanted embryo and that these factors therefore help to increase the implantation of the embryo and subsequently ensure optimal development of both foetus and placenta. The cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been shown to be present in the female reproductive organs during early pregnancy in mice, sheep, cows and humans.

2 ng/ml GM-CSF has been proven safe in a previous study presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embrylogy (ESHRE) congress 2007 (A. Loft et al. 2007).

The present investigation (DK001) is to our knowledge the first large prospective randomised in vivo study in humans. Previous publications counting one Korean pilotstudy of 154 women prospectively randomised between culture medium with and without GM-CSF 2 ng/ml (Kim et al., 2001), showing a significant effect of GM-CSF on embryo implantation rate.

Based on this knowledge we hypothesize that culture of human embryos in the presence of GM-CSF will significantly increase the implantation rate also in a larger population.

This hypothesis is being tested by conducting a multicentre, randomised, parallel group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with adaptive design, performed at 14 study centres. Each patient will participate in the study from retrieval of oocytes following standard hormonal treatment and until the 12th gestational week. Further a follow-up will be performed on pregnancies and children born.