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Occult pregnancy as a factor in unexplained infertility
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|October 1, 1978
Summary
Early pregnancy loss, termed occult pregnancy, may affect unexplained infertility. A study found occult pregnancies in 2 of 7 patients, suggesting it could be a factor in infertility investigations.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Human Embryology
- Infertility Research
Background:
- Occult pregnancy, defined as very early pregnancy loss post-blastocyst formation without clinical suspicion, is a potential factor in unexplained infertility.
- Understanding the incidence and impact of occult pregnancy is crucial for advancing reproductive medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of occult pregnancies in patients with unexplained infertility.
- To assess the potential role of occult pregnancy in the diagnostic workup of infertility.
Main Methods:
- A specific human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) assay was utilized.
- Seven patients diagnosed with unexplained infertility were prospectively studied over one cycle.
Main Results:
- Two out of seven patients exhibited positive hCG titers, indicating the presence of occult pregnancies.
- Five patients did not show evidence of occult pregnancy during the studied cycle.
Conclusions:
- Occult pregnancy may contribute to unexplained infertility in a subset of patients.
- Routine screening for occult pregnancy could be considered in future infertility investigations.