Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF): A Link between Fertilization and Immunomodulation

Abstract

Early pregnancy factor (EPF) is a pregnancy-dependent, suppressor-releasing hormone, which can be differentiated from other known pregnancy-associated substances by its physiological, biochemical and immunological characteristics. To date studies have shown that the presence of EPF in serum at anytime except during pregnancy is pathological and is associated with tumors of germ cell origin.