Endometrial progesterone and estradiol receptors in patients with recurrent early pregnancy loss of unknown etiology--preliminary report.
BACKGROUND
It is not possible to identify the cause of the recurrent early pregnancy loss in approximately half of the cases, and different results have been reported according to estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). The objective of this work was to evaluate the PR and ER levels in the endometrium of patients with recurrent early pregnancy loss, and to compare them with those of patients with proven fertility.


METHODS
Endometrial receptors (R) for estrogen and progesterone as well as estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels were determined in patients with recurrent early pregnancy loss, and compared with patients with proven fertility.


RESULTS
The E2 and P levels, and the E2/P ratio did not show significant differences among the groups. Estrogen receptor in the cytoplasm and nucleus was lower in those with miscarriages, but without significant differences between the groups. However, the cytoplasmic PR was lower in those with pregnancy loss (p < 0.04), while nuclear PR was lower in the control group (p < 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Maybe low PR levels can be the cause of early pregnancy loss of unknown etiology, but this deserves further investigation.
Carranza-Lira
S
S
Gynecologic Endocrinology Service, Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México DF. scarranzal@mexis.com
Blanquet
J
J
Tserotas
K
K
Calzada
L
L
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011959:Receptors, Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D011959:Receptors, Estradiol; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol