[Secreted cytokines in the uterine lumina are predictive of subsequent implantation. Presence of IL18 in the uterine flushing].

The materno-foetal relationship is not simply maternal tolerance of a foreign tissue, but a series of intricate mutual cytokine interactions governing selective immune regulation and also control of the adhesion and vascularisation processes during this dialogue. There is strong evidence that locally secreted cytokines, such as interleukine 18 (IL18) control the implantation process and can cause implantation failure in case of absence or overactivation. Uterine flushing fluids may be analysed to determine the level of several cytokines. At the time of egg retrieval, the flushing procedure does not adversely affect pregnancy rates. We report a strong positive correlation between the presence of IL18 in the uterine flushing and bad implantation rates. The presence of IL18 in the lumina is the traduction of an overactivation of endometrial IL18 that should be diagnosed and treated. Moreover, endometrial biopsy could define which type of cytokinic dysregulation is implicated in repeated implantation failure and define which type of treatment need to be introduced.