Serum androgen levels in women who have recurrent miscarriages and their correlation with markers of endometrial function.
OBJECTIVE
To compare plasma androgen concentrations in women who have recurrent miscarriages and in fertile women, and to correlate the results with concentrations of the endometrial protein PP14 in uterine flushings and plasma from women who have recurrent miscarriages.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Hospital research unit.


METHODS
Women attending a recurrent miscarriage clinic and normal fertile volunteers. Ten of the women with recurrent miscarriages had polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) as assessed by ultrasonography or increased follicular LH levels.


METHODS
Plasma samples were obtained from the women on days LH-7, LH-4, LH+0, and LH+7 or LH+10 of a cycle. An endometrial flushing sample and a biopsy specimen were taken from women with recurrent miscarriages on day LH+7 or LH+10.


METHODS
Androstenedione, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in the plasma samples. The endometrial protein PP14 was measured in the uterine flushings and in the LH+7 or LH+10 plasma samples from the women with recurrent miscarriages.


RESULTS
Testosterone concentrations were higher in the women with recurrent miscarriages both with and without PCOD on days LH-7 and LH-4 of the cycle. Concentrations of androstenedione also were higher in the women with recurrent miscarriages, but without PCOD on day LH-7. Testosterone SHBG ratios were higher in the women with recurrent miscarriages, without PCOD compared with the controls on days LH-7, LH+0, and LH+7. Mean follicular testosterone concentrations were correlated negatively with both uterine (r = -0.47) and plasma (r = -0.49) PP14 levels on day LH+10. Mean luteal phase testosterone SHBG ratios were correlated negatively with uterine PP14 concentrations on day LH+7 of the cycle (r = -0.674).


CONCLUSIONS
Androgen levels are higher in women who have recurrent miscarriages than in normal fertile controls. These high levels of androgens may have a detrimental effect on endometrial function.
Okon
M A
MA
Jessop Hospital for Women, and Division of Biomedical Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Laird
S M
SM
Tuckerman
E M
EM
Li
T C
TC
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins; C045246:PAEP protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone