The Role of Relaxin in Normal and Abnormal Uterine Function During the Menstrual Cycle and Early Pregnancy

A high number of leucocytes reside in the human endometrium and are distributed differentially during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. During early pregnancy, decidual natural killer (dNK) cells are the most common type of natural killer (NK) cells in the uterus. The increase in the number of uterine NK (uNK) cells during the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, followed by further increase of dNK cells in early pregnancy, has heightened interest in their involvement during pregnancy. Extensive research has revealed various roles of dNK cells during pregnancy including the formation of new blood vessels, migration of trophoblasts, and immunological tolerance. The present review article is focused on the significance of NK cells during pregnancy and their role in pregnancy-related diseases. The article will provide an in-depth review of cellular and molecular interactions during pregnancy and related disorders, with NK cells playing a pivotal role. Moreover, this study will help researchers to understand the physiology of normal pregnancy and related complications with respect to NK cells, so that future research work can be designed to alleviate the complications.

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Expression and role of interleukin-23 in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy

Journal of Reproductive Immunology ◽

10.1016/j.jri.2010.06.154 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 87 (1-2) ◽

pp. 21-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Yesim Hulya Uz ◽

William Murk ◽

Celal Emre Yetkin ◽

Umit Ali Kayisli ◽

Aydin Arici

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Human Endometrium ◽

Interleukin 23

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ZUR BEDEUTUNG DES HYPOPHYSÄREN LUTEINISIERUNGSHORMONS FÜR SCHWANGERSCHAFT, GEBURT UND LACTATION BEI DER RATTE

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.065s005 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 65 (3_Suppl) ◽

pp. S5-S32 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

K. Loewit

Keyword(s):

Luteinizing Hormone ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽

The State ◽

Termination Of Pregnancy ◽

Progesterone Level ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Regulatory Properties ◽

Duration Of Pregnancy

ABSTRACT The role of luteinizing hormone (LH) for the maintenance of pregnancy, parturition and lactation was investigated by immunological and histochemical methods in the rat. Neutralisation of endogenous rat-LH with Rabbit-Anti-Bovine-LH-Serum (selective hypophysectomy) from days 7-12 of pregnancy resulted in reabsorption of the foetuses and the reappearance of strong 20α-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (20α-OHSD) activity in the corpora lutea (CL) of pregnancy, which normally show no such activity at that time. This effect could be prevented in part by concurrent pregnenolone administration and fully by progesterone, but was not influenced by oestrogen or prolactin. It is concluded that in early pregnancy LH is the main luteotrophic hormone in the rat even though prolactin might act synergistically with it. Antiserum treatment after the 12th day of gestation had no influence on the state or duration of pregnancy or on parturition. LH-injections during the first half of pregnancy had no luteolytic effects i. e. they did not activate 20α-OHSD activity. After day 16 they advanced the reappearance of the enzyme, but delayed parturition or resulted in stillbirths. Neither LH nor antiserum seemed to alter lactation. Since progesterone prevented both the termination of pregnancy and the recurrence of 20α-OHSD activity, it should have some regulatory properties on the enzyme. It is discussed whether the gonadotrophin-dependent progesterone level could regulate the 20α-OHSD activity rather than result from it.

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Production of interferon by red deer (Cervus elaphus) conceptuses and the effects of roIFN-tau on the timing of luteolysis and the success of asynchronous embryo transfer

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/reprod/118.2.387 ◽

2000 ◽

pp. 387-395 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

KJ Demmers ◽

HN Jabbour ◽

DW Deakin ◽

AP Flint

Keyword(s):

Embryo Transfer ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Pregnancy Loss ◽

Red Deer ◽

Interferon Tau ◽

Recombinant Interferon ◽

Uterine Flushing ◽

Calving Rate

The role of interferon in early pregnancy in red deer was investigated by (a) measuring production of interferon by the conceptus, (b) testing the anti-luteolytic effect of recombinant interferon-tau in non-pregnant hinds, and (c) treatment of hinds with interferon after asynchronous embryo transfer. Blastocysts were collected from 34 hinds by uterine flushing 14 (n = 2), 16 (n = 2), 18 (n = 8), 20 (n = 13) or 22 (n = 9) days after synchronization of oestrus with progesterone withdrawal. Interferon anti-viral activity was detectable in uterine flushings from day 16 to day 22, and increased with duration of gestation (P < 0.01) and developmental stage (P < 0.01). When interferon-tau was administered daily between day 14 and day 20 to non-pregnant hinds to mimic natural blastocyst production, luteolysis was delayed by a dose of 0.2 mg day(-1) (27.3 +/- 1.3 days after synchronization, n = 4 versus 21 +/- 0 days in control hinds, n = 3; P < 0.05). Interferon-tau was administered to hinds after asynchronous embryo transfer to determine whether it protects the conceptus against early pregnancy loss. Embryos (n = 24) collected on day 6 from naturally mated, superovulated donors (n = 15) were transferred into synchronized recipients on day 10 or day 11. Interferon-tau treatment (0.2 mg daily from day 14 to 20) increased calving rate from 0 to 64% in all recipients (0/11 versus 7/11, P < 0.005), and from 0 to 67% in day 10 recipients (0/8 versus 6/9, P < 0.01). The increased success rate of asynchronous embryo transfer after interferon-tau treatment in cervids may be of benefit where mismatched embryo-maternal signalling leads to failure in the establishment of pregnancy.

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Epigenetic factors and molecular markers of the risk of early pregnancy losses

GYNECOLOGY ◽

10.26442/20795696.2019.4.190523 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 9-16

Author(s):

Nataly I Frolova ◽

Tatiana E Belokrinitskaya

Keyword(s):

Early Pregnancy ◽

Genetic Factors ◽

Molecular Genetic ◽

Pregnancy Complication ◽

Common Complication ◽

Epigenetic Factors ◽

Genetic Determination ◽

Periconceptional Period ◽

Combined Impact

Background. Miscarriage is a common complication in early pregnancy. Current studies have shown a higher prevalence of miscarriage, ranging from 10 to 20%. The review is devoted to modern concepts of etiology and pathogenesis of early pregnancy losses. Aim. Assess the role of epigenetic factors and molecular-genetic markers in the pathogenesis and prediction of early pregnancy losses Materials and methods. In order to write this review domestic and foreign publications were searched in Russian and international search systems (PubMed, eLibrary, etc.) for the last 10-15 years. Relevant articles from the peer-reviewed literature and clinical practice guidelines were included. Results. Many recent studies have proved the contribution of various epigenetic factors to the pathogenesis of spontaneous miscarriages, and the molecular-genetic determination such kinds of pregnancy complication has been confirmed. Conclusion. The miscarriage in early gestation is driven by combined impact of epigenetic and molecular-genetic factors, as well as the presence of intergenic interactions. It is may lead to deterioration of physiological functions, and maternal pathologenic pathways could be changed as during her periconceptional period as so during the pregnancy.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of The influence of coping strategies and behavior on the physiological response to social stress in women: The role of age and menstrual cycle phase.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.727121129.793556505 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kelly Klump ◽

Natasha Fowler

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Physiological Response ◽

Social Stress ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

And Behavior

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Role of Serum β-HCG doubling in Diagnosis of Early Pregnancy and its Management Strategy

Current Women s Health Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573404816999200905140919 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

Author(s):

Divya Mirji ◽

Shubha Rao ◽

Akhila Vasudeva ◽

Roopa P.S

Keyword(s):

Ectopic Pregnancy ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Management Strategy ◽

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

Expectant Management ◽

First Trimester ◽

Intrauterine Pregnancy ◽

Β Hcg ◽

Pregnancy Of Unknown Location

Background: Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is defined as the absence of intrauterine or extrauterine sac and Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin levels (β-HCG) above the discriminatory zone of 1500 mIU/ml. It should be noted that PUL is not always an ectopic; however, by measuring the trends of serum β-HCG, we can determine the outcome of a PUL. Objective: This study aims to identify the various trends β-HCG levels in early pregnancy and evaluate the role of β-HCG in the management strategy. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of pregnant women suspected with early pregnancy. Cases were classified as having a pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) by transvaginal ultrasound and ß-HCG greater than 1000 mIU/ml. Expectant management was done until there was a definite outcome. All the collected data were analyzed by employing the chi-square test using SPSS version 20. Results: Among 1200 women who had early first trimester scans, 70 women who fulfilled our criteria of PUL and ß-HCG > 1000 mIU/ml were recruited in this study. In our study, the mean age of the participants was 30±5.6yrs, and the overall mean serum ß-HCG was 3030±522 mIU/ml. The most common outcome observed was an ectopic pregnancy, 47% in our study. We also found the rate of failing pregnancy was 27%, and that of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) was 25%. Overall, in PUL patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy, 9% behaved like IUP, and 4% had an atypical trend in their ß-HCG. Those who had an IUP, 11% had a suboptimal increase in ß-HCG. Conclusion: PUL rate in our unit was 6%. Majority of the outcome of PUL was ectopic in our study. Every case of PUL should be managed based on the initial ß-HCG values, clinical assessments and upon the consent of the patient.

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Intersexual and Intrasexual Competition and Their Relation to Jealousy

The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Behavioral Endocrinology ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190649739.013.12 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 214-236

Author(s):

Abraham P. Buunk ◽

Karlijn Massar ◽

Pieternel Dijkstra ◽

Ana María Fernández

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Attachment Styles ◽

Mate Guarding ◽

Intrasexual Competition ◽

Online Infidelity ◽

Intersexual Competition

This chapter discusses sex differences in intersexual competition and describes particularly the consequences of such competition for conflict between the sexes, as well as for sex differences in mate guarding and, relatedly, in the types of infidelity that evoke jealousy, including online infidelity. It also discusses individual differences in jealousy as related to attachment styles and describes the effects of height, hormones, and the menstrual cycle on jealousy. Next, the chapter moves on to intrasexual competition and discusses, among other topics, intrasexual competition among men and among women, the role of sex differences in rival characteristics in evoking jealousy, the role of attachment styles and hormones, and individual differences in intrasexual competitiveness.

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