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 32.9 ng/ml, range 17.1–52.4 ng/ml) and recurrent miscarriage ( n =20) (median 26.8 ng/ml, range 9.7–78.5 ng/ml) were significantly lower than in the control group ( n = 16) (median 67.7 ng/ml, range 59.0–77.6 ng/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.