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Studies on Women's Health pp 131–141Cite as

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Oxidative Stress

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Abstract

Physiologic levels of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important in embryo development and organogenesis. On the other hand, high ROS levels have adverse developmental outcome, including embryopathies, embryonic mortality, and miscarriage. First-trimester miscarriage is associated with significantly increased markers of oxidative stress in the maternal blood. The negative impact of maternal obesity on pregnancy outcome may be mediated through excess circulating fatty acids and oxidative stress. The increased risk of miscarriage in diabetic pregnancies is attributed to increased lipid peroxidation in the embryo and low prostaglandin E2 levels. The male contribution to oxidative stress related adverse pregnancy outcomes is transmitted through the oxidative damage of the sperm DNA. Taking any vitamin supplements prior to pregnancy or in early pregnancy does not appear to prevent women experiencing early or late miscarriage.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS, UK

    Nabil Aziz

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  1. Nabil Aziz
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Correspondence to Nabil Aziz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  2. Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS, United Kingdom

    Nabil Aziz

  3. College of Medicine, OB/Gyn Department, University of South Alabama, Cox Street, Suite A 251, Mobile, 36604, Alabama, USA

    Botros Rizk

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Aziz, N. (2013). Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Oxidative Stress. In: Agarwal, A., Aziz, N., Rizk, B. (eds) Studies on Women's Health. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-041-0_7

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