An animal model of effects of nicotine exposure on endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at evaluating the endometrial receptivity in uterus of pregnant rats exposed to nicotine via examination of integrin expression by immunohistochemical effect. METHODS: In this study, 16 healthy pregnant rats were divided into two groups of control and study groups each comprising eight rats. The rats randomised to study group were given a certain amount of nicotine before and during the pregnancy. Integrin expression was detected in uterus of all rats by immunohistochemical staining. The effect of nicotine exposure on embryo implantation and the endometrial receptivity were immunohistochemically and pathologically evaluated. RESULTS: Comparison of both groups revealed no difference in living, viable foetuses. Intensity and universality of immunohistochemical staining of Integrin ß3 for endometrial epithelium and endometrial stroma were detected to be identical between the groups. CONCLUSION: No immunochemical effect was observed on integrin expression, which is a very important part of receptivity in an animal model created with pregnant rats that were transdermally exposed to nicotine. Our study demonstrated that the harmful effect of nicotine use before and pregnancy on implantation is limited at the level of integrin expression, in a dose-dependent manner and also by considering the method of administration.

Placenta percreta with concomitant uterine didelphys at 18 weeks of pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to draw the attention of the clinicians on placenta percreta detected along with uterine anomalies in early second trimester. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old, gravida 2 parity 1 woman at 18 weeks of pregnancy was admitted to our emergency unit with abdominal pain. In ultrasound exam, a live fetus compatible with 18 weeks of gestation, hemoperitoneum and a solid mass adjacent to the uterus were detected. An emergent laparotomy was decided because of hemorrhagic shock findings. In the operation, uterine didelphys and an active bleeding area from placenta percreta on the anterior wall of the uterus where pregnancy was settled were detected. In the simultaneous vaginal examination two cervixes and a longitudinal vaginal septum were seen. Supracervical hemihysterectomy was performed. CONCLUSION: Placenta percreta is a rare clinical entity with an elevated perinatal mortality. Uterine anomalies are risk factors for placental adhesion anomalies. Clinical suspicion is vital for early diagnosis and timely management.