Can endometrial infection/inflammation explain implantation failure, spontaneous abortion, and preterm birth after in
Roberto Romero1, Jimmy Espinoza, Moshe Mazor
1Perinatology Research Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Development, National Institutes of Health/Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. warfiela@mail.nih.gov
Fertility and Sterility
|October 16, 2004
Abstract:
The endometrial cavity is frequently invaded by microorganisms, and subclinical endometrial infection or inflammation may play a role in implantation failure after IVF, spontaneous abortion, and preterm birth. Microbial products and host-inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines can cause trophoblast apoptosis and the cascade of events leading to expulsion of the embryo or fetus.
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