Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Mouse In Vivo Placental Targeted CRISPR Manipulation
Published on: April 14, 2023
Progesterone inhibits embryotoxic effect of the complement system
1Charles University, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Dept. of Histology and Embryology, Prague 10, Ruská 87, 100 00, Czech Republic. pavlan@lf3.cuni.cz
Abstract:
The complement system of normal human serum (NHS) manifests a strong, dose dependent embryotoxic potential when administered to chick embryos inducing, among others, also malformations of the brain. We have demonstrated, however, that the degree of complement-induced embryotoxicity varied remarkably in the course of the menstrual cycle of fertile healthy women, although the complement serum activity (CH100) exhibited no significant fluctuation. On the other hand, the variation of embryotoxicity appeared negatively associated with progesterone levels. Following our results high progesterone levels occurring physiologically in luteal phase of the menstrual cycle suppress the embryotoxic action of the complement system.
Related Concept Videos
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Teratogenicity
Ovarian Cycle
Complement System

