Researchers have brought out new data that could prove useful for advances in care for women suffering from recurrent miscarriage.
The recurrent loss of pregnancy through miscarriage causes significant distress to couples, often exacerbated by there being so few treatments available to clinicians.
Scientists have been uncertain about how these natural killer cells (NK cells) could contribute to a miscarriage and this has raised doubt over their importance in causing pregnancy loss.
Led by Professor Jan Brosens of Warwick Medical School, the team found that elevated uterine NK cells in the lining of the womb indicate deficient production of steroids.
Deficient steroid production in turn leads to reduced formation of fats and vitamins that are essential for pregnancy nutrition.
This study has been published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
