[Effect of abnormal apoptosis in human decidual tissue during early gestation on pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between abnormal cellular apoptosis of the decidual tissue during the early stages of gestation and failure of pregnancy.

METHODS

Samples of the decidual tissues of early gestation were obtained from 60 healthy women with pregnancy, and cellular apoptosis was assessed by using terminal transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL). The expressions of Fas and FasL in the decidual tissues at different stages of gestation were examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

On day 41 of normal pregnancy, evident apoptosis in the decidual tissues occurred with significantly enhanced Fas and FasL expressions, while obvious reduction in both the apoptotic cells and Fas and FasL expression was observed on day 54. In women with spontaneous abortion, increased apoptotic cells were present in the decidual tissues around day 55 of gestation when significantly enhanced Fas and FasL mRNA and protein expressions also took place, in comparison with those of healthy pregnant women on day 54.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal apoptosis of the decidua during early gestation may be one of the mechanisms for spontaneous abortion, and the Fas pathway may play an important role in apoptosis induction.