Are CD57+ natural killer cells really important in early pregnancy failure?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the CD57+ Natural Killer (NK) cell counts in normal pregnancies and in cases grouped according to different types of early pregnancy failure.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A prospective case control study which was set in Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. A total of 119 women whose pregnancies ended in the first trimester were divided into elective pregnancy termination, incomplete miscarriage, intrauterine demise, ectopic pregnancy and recurrent pregnancy loss groups. CD57+ NK cells were stained and counted in the histologic preparations of the decidua in all of these groups.

RESULTS

CD57+ NK cell counts were 2.14+/-1.42 in control, 2.24+/-1.92 in incomplete miscarriage, 1.82+/-1.34 in intrauterine demise, 2.54+/-1.80 in ectopic pregnancy and 3.42+/-2.15 in recurrent pregnancy failure group. There were no statistically significant differences between the control group and the other four groups with respect to the CD57+ NK cell counts.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that CD57+ NK cell count is not associated with early pregnancy failure.