ABSTRACT It is well known that interleukin (IL)-1 plays critical roles in the physiology of the reproductive system. The IL-1 system, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and IL-1R, appears on endometrial epithelial and stromal cells through the all of the menstrual cycles, and this expression is significantly elevated around the ovulation. Many researchers have reported that IL-1 is closely related to the initiation of ovulation and regulates the normal menstrual cycle. Freshly isolated cumulus cells and oocytes are demonstrated to express IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, and IL-1R, and any disorder in this IL-1 system leads to irregular menstrual cycle and infertility. IL-1 is also known as implantation cytokine, and plays roles in the blastocyst implantation. The expression of IL-1R type I has been observed through the entire menstrual cycle in endometrial stromal and epithelial cells, but it is significantly increased in the secretary phase. This control of IL-1 bioavailability is further regulated by IL-1Ra, which binds with high affinity to IL-1R, and this antagonist is one of the factors to regulate the implantation. This paper is a review of the recent literature focused on the role of IL-1 in the human reproductive physiology and pathology.
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