CD4+ and CD8+ preimplantation endometrial population in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess the secretory-phase endometrial leucocytes in women with 2 or more unexplained abortions and in healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in 3 tertiary centres: Ain Shams University, Al-Azhar, and October 6 University Maternity Hospitals. The study included 50 women who consented to participate in this study. Women were divided in 2 groups; the first group consisted of 25 non-pregnant women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss, while the second group (n = 25) included non-pregnant women as a control group who had no history of recurrent pregnancy loss. Endometrial biopsies were taken from all participants around the expected time of implantation (one week after induction of ovulation by human chorionic gonadotrophins) to elucidate the T lymphocyte population, CD4+ (helper-T) and CD8+ (suppressor-T) markers. RESULTS: Women with 2 or more unexplained abortions had significantly less endometrial CD8+ (p < 0.05), and consequently their endometrial CD4/CD8 ratio was higher in relation to the controls. There was no significant difference in endometrial CD4+ in relation to controls (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From the results we can conclude that CD8 is more valuable than CD4 in women with recurrent spontaneous miscarriage. CD8 is better positive than negative in such patients.