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. 2001 Nov;18(11):603–607. doi: 10.1023/A:1013113022336

A Corpus Luteum Is Not a Prerequisite for the Expression of Progesterone Induced Blocking Factor by T-Lymphocytes a Week After Implantation

Jerome H Check 1, Julia Szekeres-Bartho 2, Parvin Nazari 1, Youval Katz 1, Matthew L Check 1
PMCID: PMC3455694  PMID: 11804429

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if production of the immunomodulatory protein, progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF), requires merely progesterone or whether other factors made by the corpus luteum are required.

Methods: The percentage of peripheral lymphocytes expressing PIBF was determined by obtaining a blood sample from women 9–12 days after embryo transfer. The embryos were either fresh ones following hyperstimulation and oocyte retrieval or were frozen-thawed embryos. Preparation for frozen embryo transfer required corpus luteum suppression with exogenous estrogen. The percentage of lymphocytes expressing PIBF was determined by an immunocytochemistry method.

Results: PIBF expression (>1%) was found in 20.5% of COH and 13.3% of frozen embryo transfer cycles. There either was a significant difference or a trend for higher pregnancy rates when PIBF expression was detected.

Conclusions: These data corroborate previous conclusions that PIBF is detected in a minority of women in the late luteal phase. A corpus luteum is not required for its expression.

Keywords: Corpus luteum, immunomodulatory protein, progesterone

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