Maternal serum inhibin A levels are a marker of a viable trophoblast in incomplete and complete miscarriage.
OBJECTIVE: From early gestation the human trophoblast secretes large amounts of inhibin A and activin A, and their measurement provides a value for predicting the outcome in women who become pregnant after assisted reproductive techniques. The aim of the study was to investigate the putative role of maternal serum inhibin A and activin A levels as markers of a viable trophoblast in women who miscarry. DESIGN: Controlled cross-sectional study. METHODS: One group consisted of 65 healthy pregnant women (controls), progressing to deliver a healthy singleton baby and another group consisted of 54 miscarriages (38 incomplete (27 non-viable, 11 anembryonic pregnancies) and 16 complete). Maternal blood samples were collected between 5 and 12 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations in women with incomplete or complete miscarriages were significantly (both P<0.001) lower than in controls; activin A levels being lowest only in women with a complete miscarriage (P<0.001). On the other hand, inhibin A levels were significantly lower in incomplete or complete miscarriage than in controls (both P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal serum inhibin A, but not activin A, determination reflects the lack of a viable trophoblast in complete miscarriage.[1]References
- Maternal serum inhibin A levels are a marker of a viable trophoblast in incomplete and complete miscarriage. Luisi, S., Florio, P., D'Antona, D., Severi, F.M., Sanseverino, F., Danero, S., Petraglia, F. Eur. J. Endocrinol. (2003) [Pubmed]
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