Placental protein 14 levels in uterine flushing and plasma of women with unexplained infertility

Objectives To measure concentrations of placental protein 14 (PP14) in uterine flushings and plasma samples obtained from patients with unexplained infertility and to compare the results of those of normal fertile women. Design Prospective study. Setting Infertility and gynaecology outpatient clinics at the Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Patients Sixteen patients with unexplained infertility and 12 normal fertile women who had been previously sterilized. Interventions Daily monitoring of luteinizing hormone (LH) to detect the LH surge; uterine flushings and blood samples were obtained on days 7, 10, and 12 after the LH surge. Main Outcome Measures The measurement of PP14 concentration in uterine flushings and plasma samples throughout the luteal phase. Results Levels of PP14 in uterine flushings of patients with unexplained infertility were significantly lower than those of normal fertile women on days LH +10 and LH +12. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in PP14 levels in uterine flushings on day LH +7 and plasma samples on days LH +7, LH +10, and LH +12. Conclusions Patients with unexplained infertility have reduced concentrations of PP14 in uterine flushings but not in plasma samples as compared with normal fertile women. Placental protein 14 measurement in uterine flushings may be a more valuable method of assessing endometrial function in infertile patients than plasma levels of the protein.