Decidual leukocyte populations in ectopic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the recruitment of decidual leukocytes during pregnancy is the same in intrauterine pregnancies (IUPs) versus ectopic pregnancies (EPs).

DESIGN

Intrauterine decidual samples from both EPs and IUPs were obtained for the evaluation of leukocyte populations.

SETTING

In vitro experiment.

PATIENT(S): Women with EPs and women with IUPs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Immunohistochemical identification of decidual leukocyte populations.

RESULT(S): We have analyzed the decidual leukocyte populations from three women with EPs by immunohistochemical 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 recruitment and/or increases during pregnancy is primarily hormonally regulated.