title: The use of whole rat embryo culture as a technique for investigating potential serum toxicity in recurrent miscarriage patients.
abstract: Previously, the rat embryo model has been used as an experimental technique in investigations of the aetiology of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. The aim of the present study was to validate it as a tool in the investigation of the aetiology of this condition. Subjects (n = 36) with a history of recurrent miscarriage were recruited from two dedicated recurrent miscarriage clinics and compared with control women with at least one previous pregnancy resulting in a live birth (n = 23). Serum from each woman was used as culture medium in the rat embryo model. Cultured embryos were scored for growth and differentiation. No statistical difference was found in any parameter between the two groups. Furthermore, patients from the recurrent miscarriage group whose serum demonstrated a trend towards lower scores, subsequently conceived and underwent uncomplicated pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Development, University of Nottingham, UK. matthew.hewiit@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Pratten
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Regan
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Quenby
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017584:Reproductive History
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid