Although our analysis of the different plasma hCG isoforms revealed that miscarriage patients suffer from reduced levels of regular hCG; free-β hCG and H-hCG as well as from altered MDC1 and MDC2 frequencies, based on our in vitro assays we do not believe that hCG is causative for the PBDC changes associated with miscarriage. The gene discussed is MDC1; the disease is spontaneous abortion.