title: Serum levels of pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha 2-globulin (alpha 2-PEG), a glycosylated beta-lactoglobulin homologue, in successful and unsuccessful assisted conception.
abstract: Pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha 2-globulin (alpha 2-PEG) is the major secretory protein of the endometrium in the late luteal phase. Serum levels were measured during the implantation period in successful and unsuccessful cycles of assisted conception. The effects of two different treatment regimens were also compared. All patients who underwent ovulation induction therapy showed an endometrial response as measured by a rise in serum levels of alpha 2-PEG. This rise was the same regardless of either implantation or the method of ovulation induction used. Higher levels were seen at oocyte recovery in those cycles treated with clomiphene citrate and may reflect a disordered endometrial response involving a direct effect of the drug on the endometrium. This may explain the difference in success rates in assisted conception when an alternative treatment initially involving down-regulation of endogenous gonadotrophin activity and subsequent administration of gonadotrophins is used. The rise in serum levels seen in pregnancy did not differ statistically according to whether the pregnancy progressed normally or subsequently aborted. Considerably reduced alpha 2-PEG production by the endometrium was identified in one patient who subsequently aborted. The measurement of serum levels of alpha 2-PEG during the implantation phase is unlikely to provide a clinical tool either for early detection of pregnancy or as a prognostic factor of successful implantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Iffland
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bentick
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000097:blood; D002064:Buserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First
chemical_list: D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins; C045246:PAEP protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D002996:Clomiphene; D008596:Menotropins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002064:Buserelin