Problem: To test the effect of serum obtained from in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients on the healthy volunteers natural killer (NK) cell activity.
Method of study: Retrospective non-randomized clinical study. Suppressive effect on NK cell activity was measured with serum obtained from 25 pregnant and 24 non-pregnant women during IVF-ET procedure.
Results: Suppressive serum effect of volunteers' NK cell activity was significantly higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant women (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: The suppressive activity of serum from pregnant women on NK cell suppression activity was useful in predicting the establishment of a successful pregnancy.