The Role of Granulocyte-macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor in Recurrent Pregnancy Losses

Objective:A specific factor cannot be detected in approximately half of recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of a cytokine, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), in the etiology of recurrent pregnancy losses.Method:A total of 50 patients who had been admitted to the gynecology and obstetrics clinics of İstanbul University Medical School between January 1995 and September 2001 were included into the study and allocated to five groups including control and study groups. The study groups included 30 patients and the control groups included 20 patients. There were 3 study groups including non-pregnant women who had abortion (2 groups) and a spontaneous abortion group, which were selected among the recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) subjects with unknown etiology. The spontaneous abortion, non-pregnant RPL group and pregnant RPL group were accepted as study group). These groups were compared with the control groups, which included pregnant and non-pregnant healthy women.Results:Moderate and severe GM-CSF activity was detected in the decidua of all cases in fertile and elective termination groups. However no significant difference was detected in the surface epithelium, gland epithelium and stromal GCSF activities. Endometrial GM-CSF activity was determined to decrease in spontaneous abortion and RPL cases.Conclusion:Reduced GM-CSF activity in the decidua may have a role in the etiology of RPL. Besides, the level and distribution of GM-CSF in different compartments of the decidua may be a determinant factor in the prognosis of pregnancy