Decrease in human plasma gravidin levels after medical abortion.
The aim of this study was to determine if loss of pregnancy is associated with a decrease in plasma levels of gravidin, a phospholipase inhibitor thought to maintain pregnancy. Blood was taken from 28 women in the first trimester of pregnancy who had requested an abortion. The progesterone receptor antagonist, RU-486 was given on Day 0 for termination of pregnancy. Plasma gravidin levels were measured on day 0 and on day 2 just before the patients were given misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analogue (600 micrograms). In a small group of patients, plasma measurements were continued up to 42 days. By day 2, plasma gravidin levels had fallen significantly (100% to 94%, p = 0.010 in a paired t-test). Following treatment with prostaglandins and pregnancy loss, plasma gravidin levels continued to fall until day 14 when the non pregnant level was reached at 80% of the pregnant level. We conclude that a decrease in plasma gravidin levels is associated with loss of pregnancy. This may occur because progesterone action is blocked.
Wilson
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, UK.
Thong
K J
KJ
Howie
P W
PW
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; C058795:gravidin; D015735:Mifepristone