A prospective study of early pregnancy loss in humans.
OBJECTIVE
To test two hypotheses: In spontaneous conceptions, early pregnancy loss (EPL) is associated with [1] inadequate luteal (ovarian) P, and/or [2] elevated follicular (adrenal) P.


METHODS
A population-based prospective study.


METHODS
Thirty rural Bolivian communities.


METHODS
Women volunteers (n = 191), 19-40 years old, in stable sexual unions and not using contraception.


METHODS
Collection of serial saliva samples throughout sequential ovarian cycles and urine samples during late luteal phases. Collections continued throughout pregnancy for each detected conception.


METHODS
Occurrence of spontaneous conceptions and subsequent outcomes. Salivary concentrations of P. Test for elevated urinary human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).


RESULTS
Luteal (through implantation) P levels were similar in pregnancies lost within 5 weeks after conception (EPL; n = 8) and those pregnancies that were maintained longer (sustained conceptions, SC; n = 32). Follicular P was significantly higher in EPL than in SC.


CONCLUSIONS
[1] Elevated follicular P was associated with EPL in natural conceptions in healthy women. [2] Early pregnancy loss exhibits absolute luteal P levels comparable to SC, but lower luteal/follicular P ratios.
Vitzthum
Virginia J
VJ
Anthropology Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA. Vitzthum@indiana.edu
Spielvogel
Hilde
H
Thornburg
Jonathan
J
West
Brady
B
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*
D011374:Progesterone