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Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) as a Marker for Detecting Subclinical Embryonic Loss in Clomiphene Citrate‐Treated Women
Author(s) -
SHAHANI SAVITRI K.,
MONIZ CLARA L.,
GOKRAL JYOSTNA S.,
MEHERJI PARVEEN K.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1995.tb00903.x
Subject(s) - subclinical infection , pregnancy , artificial insemination , ovulation , semen , infertility , human fertilization , fetus , insemination , clomifene , induced ovulation , medicine , ovulation induction , gynecology , endocrinology , andrology , biology , obstetrics , anatomy , genetics
PROBLEM : A discrepancy exists between the apparently normal ovulation and the pregnancy rates in women treated with clomiphene citrate (CC). Our previous studies have indicated that immuno‐suppressive “early pregnancy factor” (EPF) is a novel marker to detect subclinical embryonic loss in infertile women. METHOD : In the present study EPF was used as a marker to detect subclinical embryonic loss in women treated with CC with/without gonadotropins. In some of the women treated with CC, conception was assisted by artificial insemination with husband's semen (AIH). RESULTS : Our results have indicated that fertilization occurred (EPF + ve) in 47.7% (52/ 109) of women treated with CC with/without gonadotropins; 13.46% (7/52) retained the fetus and continued pregnancy till full term, whereas 78.9% (41/52) did not retain the fetuses. In the group where after stimulation, conception was assisted by AIH, fertilization was observed in 38.24% (26/68), retention in 11.54% (3/26) but subclinical embryonic loss was observed in 80.8% (21/26) cases. CONCLUSION : Thus, our results have indicated that subclinical embryonic loss may account for some of the discrepancy observed between the apparently normal ovulation and the pregnancy rates in women treated with clomiphene citrate.