Platelet-derived microparticle levels in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion

Objective: To investigate the significance of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion. Methods: We measured platelet P-selectin (CD62P) as a platelet activation marker and CD42b(+) microparticles as PMPs by flow cytometry in whole blood of 20 women with recurrent spontaneous abortion and 20 age-matched healthy controls with no previous history of spontaneous abortion. Results: PMP levels in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion were higher than in women in the control group (4.79 +/- 1.18% vs 3.06 +/- 0.92%; P 0.000). CD62P levels were not significantly higher in the study group compared with the control group (13.78 +/- 8.62% vs 10.78 +/- 7.35%; P>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PMPs may have a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion. (c) 2008 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.