Studies on the cytogenetic and endocrinologic background of spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether chronic menstrual irregularity with elevated LH levels has a role in spontaneous abortion.

DESIGN

In 41 consecutively examined women with spontaneous abortions occurring within 11 complete gestational weeks, fetal chromosomal analyses were performed. The differences of endocrinologic background in relation to the result of fetal chromosomal analyses were investigated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endocrinologic profiles, including menstrual history, basal hormone levels (LH, FSH, and PRL), ovarian morphology on ultrasound, and fetal chromosomal karyotypes.

RESULTS

The women with normal fetal karyotypes compared with those with abnormal fetal karyotypes showed higher frequency of menstrual irregularity (47.1% versus 8.3%), elevated basal LH levels (7.42 +/- 5.12 versus 4.41 +/- 1.39 mIU/mL; conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00), and higher frequency of polycystic ovary (41.2% versus 8.3%).

CONCLUSION

Elevated LH-polycystic ovary may be involved in the genesis of spontaneous abortions that are not explainable by fetal chromosomal abnormality.