A comparative study of glycodelin concentrations in uterine flushings in women with subseptate uteri, history of unexplained recurrent miscarriage and healthy controls

Abstract: Objective: To compare the concentration of glycodelin in uterine flushing at the implantation window obtained from women with subseptate uteri, women with a history of recurrent first trimester miscarriage and fertile controls. Study design: Glycodelin concentration was assessed using Enzyme Linked Immunohistochemistry (ELISA) at The Early Pregnancy & Gynaecology Assessment Unit, King''s College Hospital, London, England. Eight women with a subseptate uterus, 20 women with a history of unexplained recurrent first trimester miscarriage and 16 fertile controls had uterine cavity flushing, for glycodelin concentration, done 7 days after the luteinising hormone surge. Results: Glycodelin concentrations in uterine flushing obtained from women with subseptate uteri (n =8) (median 32.9ng/ml, range 17.1–52.4ng/ml) and recurrent miscarriage (n =20) (median 26.8ng/ml, range 9.7–78.5ng/ml) were significantly lower than in the control group (n =16) (median 67.7ng/ml, range 59.0–77.6ng/ml) (χ 2 =19.565, p <0.001). Conclusion: Peri-implantation levels of glycodelin are lower in women at high risk of early pregnancy failure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]