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Mechanisms of disease: the endocrinology of ectopic pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 March 2012

Andrew W. Horne*
Affiliation:
MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
Hilary O.D. Critchley
Affiliation:
MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Andrew Horne,PhD MRCOG, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ,UK. E-mail:andrew.horne@ed.ac.uk

Abstract

Ectopic pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy implanted outside the uterus, and >98% implant in the Fallopian tube. It has a major clinical and socioeconomic impact worldwide. The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is often difficult and resource intensive owing to a lack of accurate biomarkers, and there is a need for improved medical management of ectopic pregnancy using new or adjuvant treatments. The aetiology of ectopic pregnancy is uncertain, but tubal implantation is probably due to retention of the embryo in the Fallopian tube owing to impaired embryo-tubal transport and alterations in the tubal microenvironment. This comprehensive review of the literature supporting current understanding of the endocrinology of Fallopian tube biology and tubal implantation focuses on genes expressed in the Fallopian tube regulated by oestrogen and progesterone and discusses their potential functions. It concludes with a discussion of how advances in this field are enabling the development of novel biomarkers and could lead to the identification of potential new treatments for ectopic pregnancy.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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References

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Further reading, resources and contacts

Allahbadia,G.N.,Saridogan,E. andDjahanbakhch,O. (2009).The Fallopian Tube,Anshan,UK.Google Scholar