DECIDUAL LEUKOCYTE POPULATIONS IN ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES

Objective: To determine whether the recruitment of decidual leukocytes during pregnancy is the same in intrauterine pregnancies (IUPs) versu s ectopic pregnancies (EPs). Design: Intrauterine decidual samples fro m both EPs and IUPs were obtained for the evaluation of leukocyte popu lations. Setting: In vitro experiment. Patient(s): Women with EPs and women with IUPs. Main Outcome Measure(s): Immunohistochemical identifi cation of decidual leukocyte populations. Result(s): We have analyzed the decidual leukocyte populations from three women with EPs by immuno histochemical analysis. The data demonstrate a leukocyte infiltration similar to that found in decidua from normal pregnancies. Conclusions( s): These data support the hypothesis that decidual leukocyte recruitm ent and/or increases during pregnancy is primarily hormonally regulate d. (C) 1997 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.