Study Reveals New Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis Method
In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about all links, posts, photos and other material on this website: (...)
Study Reveals New Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis Method
According to a study due to be published in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), dosage of adrenomedullin (ADM) hormone can help diagnose ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy refers to abnormal embryo implantation elsewhere than the uterus. After the egg is fertilized by the sperm and the embryo is formed, a process takes place in the third side of the fallopian tube, the embryo moves with cilia along the tube to the uterus where it implants. In some cases, when the fallopian tube is abnormal or when the cilia is not working properly,the embryo implants into the fallopian tube. The embryo begins to grow but can not develop properly. In severe cases, the fallopian tube can perforate which triggers a major hemorrhage. Moreover, ectopic tubal pregnancy is a leading cause of death in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Tubal ectopic pregnancy has several possible causes. One of them is pelvic inflammatory disease, which can create retractions or acceding to the fallopian tube due to inflammation. Another cause can be represented by endometriosis which can also cause scar tissue around or inside the fallopian tube. Intrauterine devices, smoking, exposure to certain substances can also cause tubal ectopic pregnancy.
Recently, researchers have found a way to predict a tubal ectopic pregnancy by dosing a hormone called adrenomedullin (ADM). It seems that expression of this hormone is directly proportional to the degree of movement of the cilia of the fallopian tube. A slower movement of the cilia is correlated with slow embryo transport and more likely to implantation in the fallopian tube. The lead author of this study, Wai-Sum O, PhD, of the University of Hong Kong, said: “This is the first report to address the effect of ADM on cilia beat frequency and muscle contraction in the oviduct.”
Researchers performed an experiment and harvested samples of fallopian tube tissue from women who underwent hysterectomies or were having their fallopian tubes removed due to different causes. Fallopian tube tissue was incubated in optimal conditions so as to mimic the hormonal status of a pregnant woman. It was found that the fallopian tubes of women who had tubal ectopic cilia moved more slowly. Also, adrenomedullin (ADM) hormone was found in low amounts in tubal ectopic pregnancy . The interesting fact was that by administering adrenomedullin hormone, cilia began to regain their normal mobility. This demonstrates the role that this hormone play in diagnosing tubal ectopic pregnancy.