Human amniotic fluid glycoproteins expressing sialyl Lewis carbohydrate antigens stimulate progesterone production in human trophoblasts in vitro

Background: Progesterone is thought to mediate immune modulator effects by regulating uterine responsiveness. The aim of the study was to clarify the effect of transferrin and glycodelin A (former name PP14) as sialyl Lewis X-expressing glycoproteins on the release of progesterone by trophoblast cells in vitro. Methods: Cytotrophoblast cells were prepared from human term placentas by standard dispersion of villous tissue followed by a Percoll gradient centrifugation step. Trophoblasts were incubated with varying concentrations (50-300 mug/ml) of human amniotic fluid- and serum-transferrin as well as with glycodelin A. Culture supernatants were assayed for progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and cortisol by enzyme immunometric methods. Results: The release of progesterone is increased in amniotic fluid transferrin- and glycodelin A-treated trophoblast cell cultures compared to untreated trophoblast cells. There is no relation between transferrin and the hCG or cortisol production of trophoblast cells. Conclusion: The results suggest that sialyl Lewis carbohydrate antigen-expressing amniotic fluid glycoproteins modulate the endocrine function of trophoblasts in culture by upregulating progesterone production. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

The prevalence of Antithyroglobulin and Antithyroid Microsomal Autoantibodies in Euthyroid Fertile and Infertile Nigerian Women with recurrent spontaneous Abortion and Unexplained Infertility

Plasma levels of antithyroglobulin {TG} and microsomal thyroid peroxidase {TPO} autoantibodies were determined using the ELISA methods, in 87 euthyroid women. These were made up of 44 control women which included 8{18%} nulligravidae, 18{41%} non pregnant multiparous and 18{41%}, pregnant subjects. The infertile groups were made up of 43 women which included 18{42%} with secondary infertility, 17{39%} recurrent spontaneous aborters {RSA} and 8{19%} unexplained {Primary} infertility subjects. The microsomal antithyroid peroxidase and the anti-thyroglobulin auto-antibodies, micro titer mean values, in the infertility subjects were 347.55 units/ml and 35.23 units/ml respectively. These values were higher compared with the micro titer mean values of the control subjects with 284.40 units/ml and 32.51 units/ml respectively. The Micro titer mean value levels of the microsomal antithyroid peroxidase auto-antibodies in the primary infertility group was 437.19 units/ml and in the secondary infertility group was 362.50 units/ml compared with the micro titer mean value of control groups of 284.40 units/ml at