a b s t r a c tObjective: Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) has pleiotropic biological functions in the female reproductive tract. HB-EGF has a function in the menstruation cycle, implantation, decidualization, placenta development, and also inhibition of apoptosis. This study aims to investigate a possible role of HB-EGF in missed abortion. Materials and methods: Decidual and placental tissue samples were obtained from women with unwanted pregnancy as the control group and from women with missed abortions as the patient group. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to compare HB-EGF expression of fibroblast and decidual cells in uterine decidual stroma and fibroblasts and mesenchymal cells in placental villous stroma; the TUNEL technique was used to detect apoptotic cells within the decidual and placental tissues of the two groups. Results: It was demonstrated that HB-EGF expression in both uterine decidual stroma and placenta stroma was increased in the missed abortion group (142.70 ± 12.80; 116.10 ± 14.16, respectively), compared with the normal pregnancy group (101.60 ± 14.18; 81.60 ± 10.74, respectively). It was also shown that there was no difference in TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP Nick End Labelling) positive cells between the uterine decidual stroma (11.4 ± 3%; 13.6 ± 3%, respectively), placental villous stroma (13.7 ± 3%; 15.9 ± 3%, respectively), and cytotrophoblast-syncytiotrophoblast cells (7.3 ± 2; 9.8 ± 3, respectively) of the two groups. Conclusion: This data supports the hypothesis that increased HB-EGF expression in a missed abortion may prevent the discharge of the dead fetus.

Background: Forkhead transcription factors 3a (FOXO3a) has pleiotropic biological functions in the female reproductive tract. FOXO3a has a function in decidualization, in placental development, and also in inhibition of apoptosis. This study aims to investigate a possible role of FOXO3a in missed abortion. Materials and Methods: Decidual and placental tissue samples were obtained from the women with unwanted pregnancy as the control group and with missed abortion as the patient group. Immunohistochemistry technique was utilized to compare FOXO3a expression of the decidual cells in uterine decidual stroma and cytotrophoblast-syncytiotrophoblast cells in placental villous stroma. Immunohistochemistry was evaluated semi-quantitatively utilizing the H-score technique. Results: It was demonstrated that H-Scores of FOXO3a expression in both uterine decidual stroma were increased in the missed abortion group (255.83±12.41) than in the normal pregnancy group (133.33±17.43). It was also shown that there was no difference between non-decidual area of the endometrium of the normal pregnancy and the missed abortion group (30.33±4.32; 39.66±14.30, respectively) and placental villous stroma (13.00±1.89; 13.00±1.67, respectively). However, the immunoreactivity of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells significantly increased in the missed abortion group (18.83±1.47; 322.00±6.06, respectively) than in the normal pregnancy group (11.00±1.26; 254.00±8.17, respectively) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These data support the hypothesis that increased FOXO3a expression in missed abortion may prevent the discharge of dead fetus to maintain decidualization, prevention of oxidative stress, immunomodulation, and inhibition of apoptosis.