Chiguayante

Researchers are studying the early communication between a mother and embryo during the first two weeks after fertilization to better understand how this interaction supports successful pregnancy. The research focuses on healthy women seeking pregnancy as well as women not trying to conceive, examining cycles leading to full-term births, early pregnancy loss, or no pregnancy. This open-cohort study uses a unique counterfactual design to compare physiological changes within the same individual with and without pregnancy. The study involves daily collection of various biological samples such as saliva, urine, blood, cervicovaginal fluid, and brushings during key phases of the menstrual cycle. These samples are stored in a biorepository for detailed molecular analysis to investigate embryo-maternal communication. The study tracks participants from before conception through early pregnancy and childbirth, focusing on natural conception cycles. Participants are closely monitored through menstrual cycles lasting 21-35 days, up to six cycles or until pregnancy occurs. Researchers measure outcomes including the number of cycles leading to full-term pregnancies, early pregnancy losses, or no pregnancy. The study also includes clinical assessments like colposcopy and tracks participant health and pregnancy status to understand molecular signals influencing pregnancy success and loss.