The interplay of hormonal and infectious factors in the pathogenesis of complicated pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction. The causes for adverse pregnancy outcomes are usually complex and, in some cases, can worsen each other.Aim. To assess the role and establish the interplay of hormonal and infectious factors in the pathological course of pregnancy in women with threatened spontaneous miscarriage.Materials and methods. A total 120 pregnant women were enrolled for the observational prospective study, in which they were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 included 32 patients with threatened spontaneous miscarriage and hyperandrogenism (HA), who received glucocorticosteroids (GCS); group 2 included 28 patients with threatened spontaneous miscarriage and HA, who did not receive GCS; group 3 included 30 patients with threatened spontaneous miscarriage without HA; group 4 (control) included 30 women with a physiological course of pregnancy. The following examination methods were used: clinical assessment of the course of pregnancy; measurement of the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and total testosterone at weeks 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 18, 19 to 24 and 25 to 32 of gestation; microbiological tests of vaginal discharge.Results. The evaluation of androgenic status showed that the levels of the tested hormonal parameters in women with HA significantly exceeded those of the control group, while the changes in 17-OHP and testosterone secretion was comparable to that in women without HA, and DHEA-S level decreased to control values by the third trimester. The use of corticosteroids was associated with significant changes in the values and secretion levels of 17-OHP and DHEA-S, but not testosterone; DHEA-S levels decreased to the values that were significantly lower as compared to all groups in the third trimester of pregnancy.Conclusions. Vaginal infections play an important role in the genesis of gestational failures. Hyperandrogenism exacerbates the problem of miscarriage, however, the use of corticosteroids does not result in improved hormonal characteristics and clinical pregnancy outcomes, deteriorating the vaginal biocenosis.