Miscarriage is a heartbreaking - and common - risk of pregnancy. There are many reasons why a pregnancy does not remain viable, yet for some women who experience recurring miscarriages, a specific cause can often not be determined. Now, researchers at the Warwick Medical School in Coventry, England have discovered that a prolonged fertility window may be one explanation, offering hope to women dealing with recurrent pregnancy loss.
According to Professors Jan Brosens and Siobhan Quenby of the Division of Reproductive Health, who led the study, this research sheds new light on the mechanisms that determine the timing and duration of the fertility window and how that may increase the chances of miscarriage.
The release of the cytokine IL-33 and the activation of its receptor (ST2) in cells in the uterus induces an inflammatory response that controls the stage known as the two to three days of peak fertility. In patients with a record of recurrent pregnancy loss, this inflammatory response was prolonged. When the fertility window remains open too long, embryos implant out-of-phase into an environment that cannot support the pregnancy, which leads to miscarriage. If doctors can target the IL-33 pathway and regulate the fertility window, it may help to prevent miscarriage. "It's an exciting discovery," said Professor Quenby.
However, as promising as this news is, it is important to remember that we are not yet at the stage where we can use the results clinically, either for testing or for treatment. But I would have to agree with Professor Quenby's comment, "It's an exciting discovery."
Read our During Pregnancy section for more information about miscarriage.