Objective: To investigate the change of epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration in serum and villi of early pregnant women and its possible effects by mifepristone.
Methods: Twenty normal women as control and sixty-six early pregnant women were enrolled for study. Serum EGF, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) concentrations were measured with radioimmunoassay. EGF concentration in villi by surgical aspiration and mifepristone induced abortion were compared.
Results: Serum EGF concentration in early pregnant women was significantly higher than that in non-pregnant women (P < 0.01). The serum EGF, E2 and P concentrations increased as pregnancy advanced (P < 0.05). The growth rate of gestational sac declined and serum EGF and P concentrations decreased slightly after administration of mifepristone. Villi EGF content in mifepristone group was significantly lower than that in surgical group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: EGF may be involved in regulating embryo development. Mifepristone may interfere embryonic development via inhibiting EGF level.