Cervical Expression of Elafin and SLPI in Pregnancy and Their Association With Preterm Labor.

Problem: Elafin and secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI) are unique among antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). This study aimed to determine the expression levels of these AMPs at the cervix during pregnancy and to investigate their association with preterm labor.

Method Of Study: Cervical epithelial cells were swabbed from normal pregnant women to evaluate the physiological expression of elafin and SLPI.

Increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and operative delivery after conception induced by in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection in women aged 40 years and older.

Objective: To clarify the association between preconception fertility status and obstetric outcomes in women aged 40 years and older.

Design: Retrospective study by reviewing medical records.

Setting: Tertiary perinatal center in a university hospital.

Emerging roles for lysophospholipid mediators in pregnancy.

Recent progress in lipid research has unveiled new biologic roles for lysophospholipids as mediators of intercellular signaling. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) are representative lysophospholipids. Accumulating evidence suggests that, acting as intercellular mediators, these and other lysophospholipids may play important roles in physiological and pathological situations.