OBJECTIVE: The thymus-derived peptides, thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin beta 4, are believed to contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis. They are also associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-gonadal axis and may play a role in reproduction.
STUDY DESIGN: Patients were recruited from a university hospital setting. Eligible candidates were 24 to 38 years old who were being seen in an ovulation induction and in vitro fertilization program. Serial maternal serum thymosin alpha 1 and beta 4 levels were assayed preconceptual and then twice in the first trimester by ELISA in 28 women with known ovulation dates who successfully conceived as demonstrated by positive serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Thymosin alpha 1 and beta 4 serum levels for viable pregnancies (group I; N = 19) were compared to pregnancies that aborted (group II; N = 9) using repeated measures of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Periconceptional (preovulatory and early pregnancy) thymosin alpha 1 and beta 4 values between groups I and II were compared using repeated measure one-way ANOVA.
RESULTS: Thymosin alpha 1 levels from pregnancies that remained viable were significantly higher than those from pregnancies that spontaneously aborted. Preovulation thymosin alpha 1 levels also tended to be lower in pregnancies that subsequently aborted. Thymosin beta 4 levels were similar between the two groups.
CONCLUSION: Decreased maternal serum thymosin alpha 1 levels may be associated with periconceptional endocrine and/or immune disturbances preceding miscarriage.