A recent study found that lack of stem cells in the womb lining causes the tissue to age faster. In essence, while an embryo is implanted, the surrounding cells are unable to support the development.
The aging cells support an inflammatory response and this could facilitate the embryo's implantation. However, an accelerated aging can be harmful to its development. This then leads to repetitive miscarriages.
After an embryo implantation, the womb lining transforms into a special structure called decidua. Scientists were able to copy this process using cultured uterus cells in the lab.
"...[A]geing cells in the lining of the womb don't have the ability to prepare adequately for pregnancy," said Jan Brosens, an obstetrics and gynecology professor who led the research. Brosens and team discovered this link by studying the cultured cells from the women who suffered three successive miscarriages or more.
The findings of the recent study could lead to new preventive therapies and drugs that could be available in five years' time. The study results will revolutionize pregnancy screening techniques and advice.
Moreover, the study offers hope to women who had suffered repetitive miscarriages in the past. The research was published in the Stem Cells journal. It is considered as miscarriage research's major breakthrough.
Brosens said the womb lining of the repetitive miscarriage patients in the study were already "defective" prior to the pregnancy. Treating the defects before the patient tries another pregnancy could be the only way to prevent these types of miscarriages.
The challenge now is to create new therapies focused on increasing stem cells' function in the womb lining. In the spring of 2016, researchers will set out to develop novel interventions on how to improve the womb lining to support growing fetuses.
In another recent study, scientists found that couples who suffered a miscarriage don't need to wait too long to try another pregnancy. Findings showed that couples should try conceiving again within the three months following a miscarriage.
The breakthrough discovery of the link between lack of stem cells in the womb lining and miscarriages can lead to new ways on how to conduct pregnancy screening methods. It can help couples who suffered repetitive miscarriage achieve a successful pregnancy.
Photo: Teza Harinaivo Ramiandrisoa | Flickr
