Effects and safety of COVID-19 vaccination on assisted reproductive technology and pregnancy: A comprehensive review and joint statements of the KSRM, the KSRI, and the KOSAR / 대한생식의학회지

Humanity is in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and vaccines—including mRNA vaccines—have been developed at an unprecedented speed. It is necessary to develop guidelines for vaccination for people undergoing treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART) and for pregnancy-related situations based on the extant laboratory and clinical data. COVID-19 vaccines do not appear to adversely affect gametes, embryos, or implantation; therefore, active vaccination is recommended for women or men who are preparing for ART. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) for the treatment of immune-related infertility is unlikely to impact the effectiveness of the vaccines, so COVID-19 vaccines can be administered around ART cycles in which IVIG is scheduled. Pregnant women have been proven to be at risk of severe maternal and neonatal complications from COVID-19. It does not appear that COVID-19 vaccines harm pregnant women or fetuses; instead, they have been observed to deliver antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) to the fetus. Accordingly, it is recommended that pregnant women receive COVID-19 vaccination. There is no rationale for adverse effects, or clinical cases of adverse reactions, in mothers or neonates after COVID-19 vaccination in lactating women. Instead, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can be delivered through breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should consider vaccination. In summary, active administration of COVID-19 vaccines will help ensure the safe implementation of ART, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

A New Thermo-Responsive Hyaluronic Acid Sol-Gel to Prevent Intrauterine Adhesions after Hysteroscopic Surgery: A Randomized, Non-Inferiority Trial

Purpose@#To investigate the efficacy and safety of a newly developed thermo-responsive sol-gel, ABT13107, for reducing the formation of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) after hysteroscopic surgery. @*Materials and Methods@#In this multicenter, prospective, randomized trial (Canadian Task Force classification I), 192 women scheduled to undergo a hysteroscopic surgery at one of the eight university hospitals in South Korea were randomized into the ABT13107 group or the comparator (Hyalobarrier ® ) group in a 1:1 ratio. During hysteroscopic surgery, ABT13107 or Hyalobarrier® was injected to sufficiently cover the entire intrauterine cavity. @*Results@#The patients returned to their respective sites for safety assessments at postoperative weeks 1 and 4 and for efficacy assessments at postoperative week 4. The post-surgery incidence of IUAs was 23.4% in the ABT13107 group and 25.8% in the comparator group; this difference met the criteria for ABT13107 to be considered as not inferior to the comparator. No differences were found in the extent of adhesions, types of adhesions, or the cumulative American Fertility Society score between the two treatment groups. Most adverse events were mild in severity, and no serious adverse events occurred. @*Conclusion@#ABT13107, a new anti-adhesive barrier containing hyaluronic acid, was not inferior to the highly viscous hyaluronic acid anti-adhesive barrier, Hyalurobarrier® in IUA formation after hysteroscopic surgery (Clinical trial registration No. NCT 04007211).

Influence of Human PapillomaVirus Infection Detected by Cervical Swap on In-vitro Fertilization Outcomes / 계명의대학술지

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection had been suspected of harmful effect on reproduction by increasing blastocyst apoptosis and reducing the endometrial implantation of trophoblastic cells. However, the available evidence is conflicting concerning the impact of HPV in female reproductive system on the outcome of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) The aim of study was to evaluate IVF outcomes regarding the cervical HPV infection. Retrospective case-control study conducted in women suffered IVF cycle. All women were evaluated the HPV infection using PCR by cervical swap before the initiation of IVF cycle. One hundred thirty six cycles were evaluated. The harvested oocytes number, top quality embryo number, fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate and miscarriage rate were analyzed depend on HPV infection. Mean age of enrolled women was 35.20±4.79 years-old, mean parity was 0.17±0.57, and mean number of miscarriage was 0.81±1.49. Basal FSH was 5.42±2.59 IU/L and AMH level was 5.07±11.01 ng/mL, which was not different between two groups. Mean harvested oocytes was 6.36±4.32 in HPV infected women compared with 8.63±5.95 in women without infection, statistically insignificant. Top quality embryos of each group were not different (2.67±0.82, 2.53±1.53 separately). In women with HPV infection, ongoing pregnancy rate (27.3%) and live birth rate (18.2%) were similar with women without infection (23.7%, 14.0%). And also, fertilization rate and implantation rate were similar. Miscarriage rate of each group was 33.3%, and 40.7%, which was statistically insignificant. The HPV infection in women did not make the adverse influence on IVF outcomes.

Intravenous immunoglobulin G in women with reproductive failure: The Korean Society for Reproductive Immunology practice guidelines / 대한생식의학회지

The task force of the Korean Society for Reproductive Immunology recommends intravenous immunoglobulin G treatment in women with reproductive failure, including recurrent pregnancy loss and/or repeated implantation failure, who show cellular immune factors such as abnormal natural killer cell levels, natural killer cell cytotoxicity, and/or type 1 T helper immunity.

Thromboembolism in pregnancy

Pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, developed in the antenatal and postpartum periods of pregnancy. The incidence of VTE during normal pregnancy is four- to six-fold higher than in the general reproductive aged female population. Physiologic changes such as hypercoagulable state, decreased venous capacitance, and reduced venous blood flow due to mechanical obstruction from gravid uterus compromise this condition. The prominent risk factors for VTE are thrombophilia, history of circulatory disease and previous VTE, preeclampsia and related disorders, and Cesarean section. In case of suspicion of VTE, prompt diagnosis and management are needed with the caution of potential adverse effects on the fetus. Low molecular weight heparin treatment is preferred due to better safety, more consistent bioavailability, ease of administration, lower risk of drug-related osteoporosis and thrombocytopenia and easier monitoring. For pregnant women with acute VTE, adjusted-dose subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin should be administrated antenatally and continued for at least 6 weeks postpartum. For prevention of VTE, mechanical prophylaxis such as physiotherapy, exercise, compression stockings, and intermittent pneumatic compression devices could be used. Thromboprophylaxis should also be considered for pregnant subjects with certain risks such as carriers of molecular thrombophilia or previously experienced VTE.

Etiologic characteristics and index pregnancy outcomes of recurrent pregnancy losses in Korean women

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the etiologies and clinical outcomes of Korean recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients. And also, we investigated the differences between primary and secondary RPL patients, between two and three or more pregnancy losses. METHODS: One hundred seventy eight women diagnosed as RPL were enrolled. We performed chromosomal analysis, thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin, blood glucose, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, natural killer cell proportion, anticardiolipin antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, anti-β2glycoprotein-1 antibodies, antinuclear antibody, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, homocysteine, MTFHR gene, factor V Leiden mutation, and hysterosalphingography/hysteroscopic evaluation. RESULTS: The mean age was 34.03±4.30 years, and mean number of miscarriages was 2.69±1.11 (range, 2 to 11). Anatomical cause (13.5%), chromosomal abnormalities (5.6%), and endocrine disorders (34.3%) were observed in RPL women. Elevated natural killer cell and antiphospholipid antibodies were observed in 43.3% and 7.3% each. Among of 178 women, 77 women were pregnant. After management of those women, live birth rate was 84.4% and mean gestational weeks was 37.63±5.12. Women with three or more RPL compared with women with two RPL had more common anatomical cause such as intrauterine adhesions and lower rates of spontaneous pregnancy. Compare with secondary RPL women, immunological abnormalities were more common in primary RPL. However, miscarriage rates were not different. CONCLUSION: Immunological factor including autoimmune and alloimmune disorders was most common etiology of RPL. Inherited thrombophilia showed different patterns with other ethnic countries. Miscarriage rates were not different between primary and secondary RPL, or between two and three or more miscarriages group.

Etiologic characteristics and index pregnancy outcomes of recurrent pregnancy losses in Korean women

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the etiologies and clinical outcomes of Korean recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients. And also, we investigated the differences between primary and secondary RPL patients, between two and three or more pregnancy losses. METHODS: One hundred seventy eight women diagnosed as RPL were enrolled. We performed chromosomal analysis, thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin, blood glucose, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, natural killer cell proportion, anticardiolipin antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, anti-β2glycoprotein-1 antibodies, antinuclear antibody, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, homocysteine, MTFHR gene, factor V Leiden mutation, and hysterosalphingography/hysteroscopic evaluation. RESULTS: The mean age was 34.03±4.30 years, and mean number of miscarriages was 2.69±1.11 (range, 2 to 11). Anatomical cause (13.5%), chromosomal abnormalities (5.6%), and endocrine disorders (34.3%) were observed in RPL women. Elevated natural killer cell and antiphospholipid antibodies were observed in 43.3% and 7.3% each. Among of 178 women, 77 women were pregnant. After management of those women, live birth rate was 84.4% and mean gestational weeks was 37.63±5.12. Women with three or more RPL compared with women with two RPL had more common anatomical cause such as intrauterine adhesions and lower rates of spontaneous pregnancy. Compare with secondary RPL women, immunological abnormalities were more common in primary RPL. However, miscarriage rates were not different. CONCLUSION: Immunological factor including autoimmune and alloimmune disorders was most common etiology of RPL. Inherited thrombophilia showed different patterns with other ethnic countries. Miscarriage rates were not different between primary and secondary RPL, or between two and three or more miscarriages group.

A Case of Successful Conservative Management for Spontaneous Hemoperitoneum in the 3rd Trimester Pregnancy / 대한주산의학회잡지

At early stage of pregnancy, hemoperitoneum often occurs in heterotopic ectopic pregnancy or bleeding of hyperstimulated ovary and can be managed easily by laparoscopic surgery while maintaining pregnancy. But in the 3rd trimester pregnancy, surgical management without delivery is very difficult and preterm birth is inevitable because of life-threatening complications not only for mother but fetus. We present a woman with 31 weeks and 3 days' gestation and spontaneous hemoperitoneum that was treated by conservative management without preterm delivery successfully. A review of the literature was undertaken.

Surgical impact on serum anti-Mullerian hormone in women with benign ovarian cyst: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical impact of benign ovarian mass on ovarian reserve as measured by serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volumes. In addition, the differences in ovarian reserve impairment between endometrioma cystectomy and non-endometrioma cystectomy were investigated. METHODS: In this prospective study, 22 patients of reproductive age (range, 18.35 years) with benign ovarian masses were enrolled to undergo laparoscopic cystectomy. Of whom 12 had endometriomas and 10 had non-endometriomas. On early follicular phase (day 3) of the cycle preceding the operation and three months after the laparoscopic cystectomy, serum levels of FSH, E2 and AMH, AFC and ovarian volumes were measured in all patients. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon rank test using SPSS ver. 12.0 for statistic analysis. RESULTS: Median level of serum AMH was significantly decreased from 5.48 ng/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 2.80-7.47) before cystectomy to 2.56 ng/mL (IQR, 1.74-4.32) 3 months postoperation (P<0.05). On the other hand, no significant differences in FSH, E2, AFC and ovarian volumes were found between the preoperative and three months postoperative levels. In a subgroup analysis of the pathologic type of the ovarian cyst, postoperative serum AMH levels were significantly decreased in the endometrioma group, but not in the non-endometrioma group. CONCLUSION: Serum AMH levels were significantly decreased after laparoscopic cystectomy without any changes of other ovarian reserve tests.

Arteriovenous malformation in uterine cervix during pregnancy

As the development of Doppler ultrasonography, many cases of uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) have beed diagnosed. But there is no case of cervical AVM in pregnant uterus. We present a 33-year-old pregnant woman who was diagnosed with AVM of the uterine cervix during the midtrimester. Color Doppler sonography and magnetic resonance image were used for diagnosis. We performed Cesarean section because of the risk of massive bleeding from the cervical AVM at 34 weeks' gestation. This is the first case of cervical AVM during pregnancy with a successful outcome and an uneventful postpartum course.

Pulmonary and retroperitoneal benign metastasizing leiomyoma / 대한생식의학회지

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disease, which usually occurs in women with a history of a prior hysterectomy or myomectomy for benign uterine leiomyoma, and has the potential to metastasize to distant sites, such as the lung, lymph nodes, muscular tissue, heart, or retroperitoneum. These lesions are slow-growing, asymptomatic, and usually found incidentally. The prognosis of BML is also excellent. However, there has been debate on the origin and the correct classification of BML, and there are no guidelines for the treatment of BML. We report here on a rare case of BML in both the retroperitoneal cavity and lung in a 48-year-old woman with a history of hysterectomy due to histologically benign uterine leiomyoma. The patient underwent retroperitoneal mass excision and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and then wedge biopsy of two pulmonary nodules was performed additionally 9 days later. Until now, there has been no sign of recurrence and the patient remains asymptomatic. To our knowledge, pulmonary BML is rare and the co-existence of the retroperitoneal metastases after previous hysterectomy is even rarer.

Endometrial histology and predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate endometrial histology and to find predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease (hyperplasia or cancer) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: We investigated the endometrial histology and analyzed the relationship between endometrial histology and clinical parameters, such as LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone, fasting and 2 hours postprandial glucose and insulin, insulin resistance, body mass index, endometrial thickness, menstrual status from 117 women with PCOS. Statistical analysis was performed with chi square and t-test, p-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. And receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease and to decide the cuff off values. RESULTS: In 117 women with PCOS, endometrial histologic profiles are as follows: proliferative phase in 90 women (76.9%), endometrial hyperplasia in 25 women (21.4%), and endometrial cancer in 2 women (1.7%). Of 25 women with endometrial hyperplasia, simple hyperplasia without atypia, complex hyperplasia without atypia and complex hyperplasia with atypia were diagnosed in 15 (12.8%), 6 (5.1%), 4 (3.4%) women, respectively. Age and endometrial thickness were significantly related with endometrial disease, p=0.013 and p=0.001, respectively. At the cut off level of 25.5 years in age, sensitivity and specificity predicting for endometrial disease were 70.4% and 55.6%, respectively (p=0.023). At the cut off level of 8.5 mm in endometrial thickness, sensitivity and specificity were 77.8% and 56.7%, respectively (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: In women with PCOS, the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer were 21.4% and 1.7%. The age and endometrial thickness may be used as clinical determining factors for endometrial biopsy.

Endometrial histology and predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate endometrial histology and to find predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease (hyperplasia or cancer) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: We investigated the endometrial histology and analyzed the relationship between endometrial histology and clinical parameters, such as LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone, fasting and 2 hours postprandial glucose and insulin, insulin resistance, body mass index, endometrial thickness, menstrual status from 117 women with PCOS. Statistical analysis was performed with chi square and t-test, p-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. And receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease and to decide the cuff off values. RESULTS: In 117 women with PCOS, endometrial histologic profiles are as follows: proliferative phase in 90 women (76.9%), endometrial hyperplasia in 25 women (21.4%), and endometrial cancer in 2 women (1.7%). Of 25 women with endometrial hyperplasia, simple hyperplasia without atypia, complex hyperplasia without atypia and complex hyperplasia with atypia were diagnosed in 15 (12.8%), 6 (5.1%), 4 (3.4%) women, respectively. Age and endometrial thickness were significantly related with endometrial disease, p=0.013 and p=0.001, respectively. At the cut off level of 25.5 years in age, sensitivity and specificity predicting for endometrial disease were 70.4% and 55.6%, respectively (p=0.023). At the cut off level of 8.5 mm in endometrial thickness, sensitivity and specificity were 77.8% and 56.7%, respectively (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: In women with PCOS, the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer were 21.4% and 1.7%. The age and endometrial thickness may be used as clinical determining factors for endometrial biopsy.

Live twin tubal ectopic pregnancy after ovulation induction / 대한산부인과학회지

Twin tubal ectopic pregnancy is rare. Especially the live twin tubal ectopic pregnancy is extremely rare, just 10 cases have been reported until now. There were 9 cases of live twin tubal pregnancy after spontaneous conception and one case after IVF cycle. This is the first report of live twin tubal ectopic pregnancy after ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate. A 31-year-old woman, nulligravida complained of primary infertility and irregular menstruation. After ovulation induction with clomiphen citrate, beta-hCG was 1566 mIU/mL on missed period of 5 weeks 4 days. On 6(+1) weeks, beta-hCG was elevated to 3446 mIU/mL and transvaginal ultrasound revealed two separated gestational sacs, each containing yolk sac in the left tube. The variable dose of methotrexate therapy was tried using 1 mg/kg of methotrexate and 0.1 mg/kg of leukovorin. These were injected alternatively for 8 days. On 7(+3) weeks, beta-hCG was elevated to 8,029 mIU/mL and transvaginal ultrasound revealed two fetal poles with heart beat in each gestational sacs. Laparoscopic salpingectomy was performed. The diagnosis was confirmed by the operative finding and also in the pathologic report. It is needed that careful ultrasonographic examination especially in the case of ovulation induction or IVF-ET. Methotrexate treatment in twin tubal pregnancy was usually failed. There was only one successful report by the direct injection of methotrexate to the fallopian tube combined with single intramuscular injection. Further research for dosage or route of administration will be needed.

High fever, coronary artery spasm and convulsion associated with prostaglandin E2 in atonic uterine bleeding / 대한산부인과학회지

Postpartum hemorrhage is a serious condition related with maternal morbidity and mortality. Prior to surgical treatment, oxytocin and prostaglandin analogs administration are common. Pyrexia after prostaglandin E1 was well known, but PG E2 has been shown to have a few complication even though coronary arterial spasm was rarely reported. The 38-year old woman who delivered 3rd baby by Cesarean section was developed the atonic uterine bleeding. During the treatment with high dose sulprostone (PG E2), she complained the anterior chest pain, her body temperature was elevated to 41.2 degrees C, and then convulsion with stuporous mentality was developed. EKG revealed inverted T wave in II. III, aVF lead, and CK-MB, troponin I was elevated. The laboratory test revealed elevated SGOT/SGPT, myoglobin, and metabolic acidosis. But CSF study, blood culture, direct/indirect Coomb's test, brain CT, and echocardiography were all negative. After supportive care, she came to be alert after 10 hours, body temperature was returned to normal after 22 hours, and the laboratory tests were eventually returned to normal within 6 days. She was discharged from the hospital without any complication. We postulate that high dose PG E2 resulted in high fever, coronary artery spasm, and convulsion

A case of successful normal full term delivery after intramural pregnancy excision in heterotypic intramural pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회지

Heterotypic pregnancy occurs when there coexist intrauterine and extrauterine (or ectopic) pregnancy and it is very rare. But the incidence of heterotypic pregnancy has been increased due to the rise in pelvic endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), surgery of fallopian tubes and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). In heterotypic pregnancy, extrauterine gestations are usually implanted in a fallopian tube, ovary, uterine cervix, uterine cornus or peritoneum but rarely in muscle layer of uterus (intramural pregnancy). It is difficult to preserve intrauterine pregnancy because of the risk of uterine rupture after excision of intramural pregnancy. We have experienced a heterotypic intramural pregnancy after IVF-ET which was successfully treated by excision of intramural pregnancy while maintaining the viability of the intrauterine pregnancy. So, we report this case with brief review of literatures.

A case of cervical branchial cleft cyst diagnosed with antenatal ultrasonography in fetus / 대한산부인과학회지

Cervical branchial cleft cysts are uncommon lesion that are developed from remnants of branchial apparatus in embryonal period. These cysts are found in infancy, childhood and adult by recurrent symptoms related to inflammation. It is difficult to find these cysts with antenatal ultrasonography and differential diagnosis from other cervical cysts is difficult too. We experienced a case of fetal cervical branchial cleft cyst that was found with antenatal ultrasonography and diagnosed with surgical biopsy, so we report our case with brief review of literatures.

A Case of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma Diagnosed by Ultrasonography and MRI at 28 Weeks of Gestation / 대한주산의학회잡지

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is often diagnosed by ultrasound in the prenatal period. The fetus may develop high-output heart failure due to limited cardiac pumping ability and anemia secondary to sequestration of blood volume in the tumor. Eventually, fetal hydrops or placentomegaly may develop and these complications carry a grave prognosis. Therefore, careful monitoring by serial USG is needed, and any evidence of fetal hydrops should trigger prompt delivery or fetal intervention. Recently, fetal MRI may be helpful in assessing the exact tumor size, content, and intraabdominal extent to optimize prenatal and postnatal management. We experienced a case sacrococcygeal teratoma diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography and fetal MRI at 28 weeks of gestation. At 31 weeks of gestation, preterm labor with sudden aggravation of polyhydramnios developed, we delivered the baby by Cesarean section due to concerns about fetal dystocia by the mass. Tumor was removed successfully 6 days after birth, and was diagnosed as immature teratoma. Thirteen months after delivery, the infant is healthy without any evidence of recurrence. So we present this case with a brief review of literatures.

Two cases of pregnancy in women requiring dialysis (CAPD/HD) for renal failure / 대한산부인과학회지

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with amenorrhea and impaired fertility, and pregnancy occurs uncommonly in patients requiring dialysis. Even though it occurs, obstetrical complications such as spontaneous abortion, still birth, polyhydramnios, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia are common. So successful live birth in those patients is very rare. The intensive dialysis to maintain a predialysis BUN <50 mg/dL is very important, and the management of anemia, hypertension, electrolytes, bone minerals, and nutrition is also concerned. We report a case of successful live birth in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and a case of preterm birth in a patient undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

Maternal serum soluble Fas/Fas ligand level and expression of Fas/Fas ligand in placenta in preeclampsia / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were designed to determine that serum soluble Fas and Fas ligand levels are altered in women with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, and to assess the expression of placental Fas and Fas ligand in women with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 31 women with normal pregnancy, 27 women with preeclampsia and five women with HELLP syndrome. Serum Fas/Fas ligand levels were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay. Immunohistochemical stain with polyclonal antibodies of Fas/Fas ligand were used to identify apoptosis. Mann-Whitney test, x2 test, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Both soluble Fas ligand and Fas were detected in the sera of normal pregnancy, preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. The mean serum level of soluble Fas was 5.83+/-0.37 U/mL in women with normal pregnancy, 10.84+/-0.93 U/mL in women with preeclampsia, and 10.79+/-00.69 U/mL in women with LELLP syndrome. The mean serum level of soluble Fas ligand was 0.59+/-0.03 U/mL in women with normal pregnancy, 0.51+/-0.21 U/mL in women with preeclampsia, and 0.60+/-0.01 U/mL in women with LELLP syndrome. The mean serum levels of soluble Fas were significantly higher in women with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome than in women with normal pregnancy, but those of Fas ligand were no significant difference in each group. Apoptosis was conclusively demonstrated within placental tissue. The immunohistochemical analysis of Fas revealed diffuse immunoreactive stains were increased in women with preeclampsia than in women with normal pregnancy. But the immunohistochemical analysis of Fas ligand revealed diffuse immunoreactive stains were decreased in women with preeclampsia than in women with normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Placental apoptosis and altered expression of Fas and Fas ligand in trophoblast might influence the pathogenesis or pathophysiologic mechanism of preeclamsia. Elevated serum soluble Fas levels is associated with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. The source of elevated serum soluble Fas in preeclampsia and HELLP snydrome remains to be determined.