Preliminary prospective study of the endocrinology of conception cycles and early pregnancy in women with antiphospholipid syndrome treated with low molecular weight heparin.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether there were any differences in the endocrinological profiles during conception cycle and early pregnancy between a control group and women with a history of recurrent miscarriage that was caused by antiphospholipid syndrome and that was treated with aspirin and low molecular weight heparin.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre.


METHODS
Five women with recurrent pregnancy loss were recruited as cases, whereas another five women having natural cycle donor insemination were used as control.


METHODS
Serial measurement of serum beta-hCG, activin A, and inhibin A was performed from postovulatory day 12 until 11 weeks of gestation.


METHODS
Comparison of levels of beta-hCG, activin A, and inhibin A at the time of conception onwards till 11 weeks in the two groups.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There does not appear to be any obvious endocrinological alteration in the conception cycle of women with antiphospholipid syndrome compared with a control group. Furthermore, the initiation of heparin does not produce a significant change in activin A and inhibin A levels.
Prakash
Alka
A
Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield, United Kingdom. a.prakash@sheffield.ac.uk
Laird
Susan
S
Li
Tin C
TC
Ledger
William L
WL
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D028341:Activins / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000097:blood; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000925:Anticoagulants; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; C422405:activin A; C422362:inhibin A; D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits; D001241:Aspirin