Identification of the Source of Inhibins at the Time of Conception Provides a Diagnostic Role for Them in Very Early Pregnancy

Abstract

The feto-placental unit is confirmed as the major source of inhibin A in early pregnancy, and the initially low levels and very rapid decline in inhibin A in pregnancies with embryonic failure suggest a role for this glycoprotein as a monitor of early pregnancy viability. The corpus luteum is demonstrated to be the major source of inhibin pro-alpha C in early pregnancy, and very low levels in patients with peri-implantational exposure are indicative of lytic damage and herald pregnancy failure despite luteal supplementation with progesterone.