Table 1.

MIF in human reproduction.

	Findings	References
Menstrual cycle	MIF mRNA and protein are expressed in uterine glandular and surface epithelium.	[104]
	Uterine MIF expression is higher in late proliferative and secretory phases.	[105]
Early pregnancy	MIF is produced by uNK cells and acts on these same cells by reducing their cytolytic activity.	[106]
	MIF protein is expressed in first trimester placenta mainly in villous and extravillous trophoblast.	[107]
	Trophoblast MIF is induced by hypoxia.	[108]
	MIF promotes trophoblast cell invasion and migration.	[109]
	MIF promotes survival of first trimester human placenta under induced stress conditions.	[110]
	MIF promotes trophoblast differentiation to endovascular phenotype.	[111]
Mid-pregnancy	MIF mRNA and protein placenta expression declines at 11–12 weeks and remains stable until term.	[108]
Term pregnancy	MIF in amniotic fluid is higher at term than at mid-gestation and higher at term with spontaneous delivery.	[102]
	MIF levels in umbilical cord serum at term birth are higher than in maternal serum.	[102]
	MIF is expressed and secreted by extraembryonic membranes.	[112]