The SOCS proteins, which negatively feedback on STAT and other cytokines, are lower in placentas from biopsied embryos. While SOCS1 proteins were unchanged (A), SOCS 2 and 3 were significantly lower in placentas from biopsied embryos (B and C respectively). The images presented are single membranes, representative of the blots obtained. Each protein was blotted three times and the area:densities normalized to blot background as well as to an internal liver control on each membrane (as detailed in materials and methods). The arithmetic mean of the three replicates used to generate graphs, hence the error bars are smaller that visually would appear on the blots. Bars are mean ± SEM of n = 15 control and n = 16 biopsied placentas. ***P < 0.001, t-test.