@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2251-8215    Sarem Journal of Reproductive Medicine 2017;1(4):159-163

Background
Recurrent spontaneous abortion refers to 3 or more than 3 successive failure in pregnancy that usually ‎occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy with the ratio of 1 to 300 in pregnant women [1-3].‎
Previous Studies
‎... [4-6]. One of the most important micronutrients whose deficiency can directly lead to poor growth ‎and cell development, or indirectly affect the hormones of the body and immune systems in the fate of ‎pregnancy, is the zinc element [6-8]. ... [9]. The deficiency of this element in women may cause ‎disorder and disorientation in their menstruation [10]. This element is required for the production of ‎testosterone, and its small amount reduces sperm and reduces sexual potency [11]. Also, inherent ‎immune cells, hemorrhagic immunity, cellular immunity and regulatory immunity such as T and B ‎lymphocytes, marufages, neutrophils, NK cells and regulatory T cells all need this element to function ‎properly [12-16]. Since all of these cells play a very important role in regulating pregnancy and ‎protecting the fetus in the mother's womb, the deficiency of this element in the mother's body may ‎affect the functioning of these cells and regulating the mechanisms of the immune system of the ‎mother and, its disruption causes abortion. Zinc deficiency may also directly affect the development ‎and evolution of the fetus [5, 17, and 18]. This element is low in most diets in developing countries, ‎and some studies indicate a shortage of it in pregnant women in these countries [19]. Considering that ‎some studies have shown that the reduction of this element can affect pregnancy, the use of zinc ‎supplements during pregnancy has been suggested [20-22].‎
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to determine the level of zinc in the serum of women with recurrent ‎spontaneous abortion and healthy women. ‎
Research type

Research society, place and time
The present study was performed among patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion that referred to ‎Sarem Hospital.‎
Sampling method and number
After reviewing the history and their tests, 243 patients were selected by voluntary sampling. Inclusion ‎criteria consisted of spontaneous recurrent abortion without any genetic, anatomical, infectious and ‎autoimmune causes, 3 or more than 3 repeated abortions and no child. 73 healthy women were ‎selected as control group. Criteria for entering this group included age grouping with patients and no ‎history of any abortions and 1-3 births.‎
Used devices&materials
The volunteer patients entered the study after completing the satisfaction form approved by the ‎morality committee of Sarem Hospital. Zinc levels in the serum of patients were measured using the ‎atomic absorption spectrophotometer system and the GBC (Victoria; Australia) device. Lyophilized ‎serum control (UK), Seronorm level 1, and Seronorm level 2 were used to check the accuracy of the ‎responses as control samples. After blood collection from the two groups were, they serum were ‎separated and stored in a freezer at 20 ° C. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for the normal distribution of data and ‎Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the difference between patients with spontaneous ‎abortion and healthy women.‎
Findings by Text
The mean age of patients in RSA group was 31.74 ± 5.62 and the mean age of healthy women was 32.37 ‎‎± 5.76. There was a significant difference between zinc in women with spontaneous recurrent abortion ‎‎(68.13 ± 11.43) and control group (82.90± 12.36) (p = 0.021; Figure 1).‎
Main comparison to the similar studies
‎... [23-26]. There is not much scientific research in this area. In an animal study conducted in 1994 by ‎Graham et al., they referred to a link between low serum zinc and copper concentration and ‎spontaneous abortion in cows [27]. Another study by Graham et al. in the same year also revealed the ‎association of zinc deficiency and its effect on abortion. [28] In a human study in Iraq, a review of ‎antioxidants in the serum of women with recurrent abortions has indicated a low level of zinc in the ‎serum of these patients [29]. In the research of Ghosh et al. in China, there was no significant ‎association between zinc level and spontaneous abortion [30]. The results of our study showed that ‎zinc level in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion is lower than that of healthy women, and ‎women with no history of abortion and having successful pregnancy experience have normal serum ‎concentrations of this element. Our previous research also found that spontaneous abortion patients ‎who volunteered to receive immunotherapy with their spouse's lymphocytes showed that patients ‎with no adequate immune response to immunotherapy had lower zinc levels in their serum than ‎patients who responded to immunotherapy [31]. According to the results of this study, it can be ‎concluded that the deficiency of zinc may affect the mechanism of non-preservation of the fetus during ‎pregnancy in spontaneous abortion patients.‎
Suggestions
Whether the lack of zinc directly affects the placenta and the embryo and may interfere with their ‎normal functioning, or whether it indirectly affects regulatory mechanisms of the immune system ‎leading to abortion, should be investigated in other studies. Further research on the relationship ‎between this element and the immunological and non-immunological factors of the placenta, embryo ‎and mother, as well as the clinical evaluation of this essential element in these patients and its effect ‎on the success of pregnancy is also suggested. ‎
Limitations

Conclusions
The level of zinc in the serum of women with spontaneous abortion is lower than that of healthy ‎women. Zinc deficiency can be one of the factors leading to abortion in these patients.‎ ‎
Acknowledgments

Conflict of interest

Ethical Permissions

Funding Sources

TABLES and CHARTS

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