title: [Serum copper levels in early pregnancy complicated by symptoms of spontaneous abortion and infection].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study evaluates serum levels of copper, chorionic gonadotropin, estradiol, progesterone and prolactin in patients with symptoms of miscarriage and in uncomplicated pregnancies in cases with or without cervical or vaginal infections detected by vaginal or cervical smears, as well as Chlamydia testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 50 patients with symptoms of threatening miscarriage and 50 patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. Hormone levels were determined by ELISA method and copper was evaluated by acid medium colorimetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that values of serum copper, estradiol, progesterone and prolactin were significantly lower in patients with lower genital tract infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decreased levels of serum copper could be used as a method of choice for detecting infection during the first trimester of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Klinika za ginekologiju i akuserstvo, Klinicki centar, Novi Sad. mitreski@eunet.yu
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitreski
authors.forename: Vule
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Visnjevac
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radeka
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Curcić
authors.forename: Dubravka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Visnjevac
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ivanović
mesh_terms: D000033:Abortion, Threatened / Q000097:blood*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D003300:Copper; D011388:Prolactin