Determination of insulin-like growth factor-2 in feto-maternal circulation during human pregnancy

1992 ◽  
Vol 127 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiro Kubota ◽  
Shusaku Kamada ◽  
Makoto Taguchi ◽  
Takeshi Aso
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Main Peak ◽  
Gel Chromatography ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
Human Pregnancy ◽  
Fetal Plasma

In order to clarify the roles of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on the human maternal-fetal environment, IGF-2 and IGF-1 levels were investigated in human plasma and amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Initially, new radio-immunoassay (RIA) systems for human IGF-2 could be developed. The sensitivity of this assay was 17.5 pg/tube and the cross-reactivity with IGF-1 was 0.64%. The pattern of change of maternal plasma IGF-2 in early pregnancy differed from that of IGF-1, but both IGF levels increased progressively in the second half of gestation, and decreased to non-pregnancy levels in the puerperium. Maternal levels of IGF-2 were approximately seven times greater than those of IGF-1. The ratio of IGF-2 to IGF-1 was 3.2 in amniotic fluid. The IGF concentrations in amniotic fluid obtained in the second trimester were significantly greater than those of term specimens, and closely related to those of prolactin (PRL) in amniotic fluid. The highest IGF-2 to IGF-1 ratio (1 5.9) was found in umbilical vein plasma. On Sephadex G-150 gel-chromatography of maternal and fetal plasma at term, two apparent peaks of unsaturated IGF-2 binding protein (BP) could be detected in both 150 and 40 kilo dalton (kD) regions. One main peak of unsaturated IGF-2 BP could be determined in the 40 kD region in the amniotic fluid at term. High concentration of IGF-2 could be detected in feto-maternal circulation during human pregnancy. Moreover, it is strongly suggested that the releasing systems of IGFs in amniotic fluid are different from those in maternal or umbilical circulation.

Increase in the concentration of immunoreactive endothelin in human pregnancy

1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Iwata ◽  
T. Takagi ◽  
K. Yamaji ◽  
O. Tanizawa
Keyword(s):  
Detection Limit ◽  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Vaginal Delivery ◽  
Umbilical Artery ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACT Maternal plasma concentrations of immunoreactive endothelin (ir-ET) during pregnancy, labour and after birth were measured by radioimmunoassay. Concentrations of ir-ET in the umbilical artery, umbilical vein, amniotic fluid and neonatal urine were also examined. The mean (± s.e.m.) plasma ir-ET concentration in early pregnancy (4–7 weeks) was 13·7±0·5 pmol/l, which was significantly higher than that in non-pregnant women (5·9±0·3 pmol/l). During pregnancy, plasma ir-ET concentrations gradually decreased to a minimum of 11·5±0·4 pmol/l in weeks 20–23, and then increased again towards term (12·5±0·4 pmol/l after 36 weeks of pregnancy). In women undergoing vaginal delivery, the mean plasma ir-ET concentration (17·1±0·7 pmol/l) increased significantly, compared with that in late pregnancy. After delivery, the plasma ir-ET concentration decreased abruptly to 4·0±0·2 pmol/l on the first day. Plasma ir-ET concentrations in umbilical vessels were significantly higher than those in maternal plasma. In addition, concentrations in the umbilical artery were significantly higher than those in the umbilical vein in cases of vaginal delivery. Concentrations of ir-ET in amniotic fluid were much higher than those in maternal or fetal plasma. ir-ET concentrations in neonatal urine on day 1 after birth were below the detection limit (< 0·1 pmol/l) by radioimmunoassay in 70% of the cases examined but on day 5 after birth ir-ET was present at measurable concentrations in all cases. It is suggested that endothelin may act as a circulating hormone during pregnancy and labour in both maternal and fetal circulations. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 301–307

scholarly journals Adrenomedullin production is increased in normal human pregnancy

1999 ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Di Iorio ◽  
E Marinoni ◽  
C Letizia ◽  
B Villaccio ◽  
A Alberini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
Human Pregnancy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
And Function

OBJECTIVE: Adrenomedullin, a recently discovered vasoactive peptide originally identified in pheochromocytoma, has been found to be increased in the plasma of pregnant women at term. This study was designed to elucidate whether adrenomedullin secretion is dependent on gestational age and the possible source and function of this peptide in human pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Adrenomedullin concentrations were determined by RIA in amniotic fluid and maternal plasma obtained from 110 pregnant women between 8 and 40 weeks of gestation. Subjects were stratified into five groups according to gestational age. In term patients (n = 15), adrenomedullin was also measured in the umbilical artery and vein separately. RESULTS: High concentrations of adrenomedullin were present in plasma and amniotic fluid samples from patients in the first, second and third trimester. There was no significant difference in mean maternal plasma concentration of adrenomedullin between the five patient groupings. Amniotic fluid adrenomedullin concentrations decreased from 81.2 +/- 11.7 pg/ml at 8-12 weeks of gestation to 63.7 +/- 6.0 pg/ml at 13-20 weeks of gestation and then increased at 21-28 weeks of gestation to 99.1 +/- 10.4 pg/ml. A further increase was found in samples collected after 37 weeks of gestation (132.6 +/- 10.1 pg/ml). In the umbilical vein, adrenomedullin concentration was higher (P < 0.05) than in the artery (65.7 +/- 6.1 pg/ml and 48.5 +/- 5.2 pg/ml respectively), suggesting that adrenomedullin in the fetal circulation derives from the placenta. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the presence of adrenomedullin in maternal plasma and amniotic fluid throughout gestation, and show that its production starts very early in gestation, suggesting that this hormone may have an important role in human reproduction, from implantation to delivery.

Corticotrophin-releasing hormone-binding protein in human fetal plasma

1995 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
A V Perkins ◽  
C D A Wolfe ◽  
F Eben ◽  
P Soothill ◽  
E A Linton
Keyword(s):  
Binding Protein ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Gel Permeation Chromatography ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Hormone Binding Protein ◽  
The Mean

Abstract During pregnancy maternal plasma corticotrophinreleasing hormone (CRH) levels rise 1000-fold whilst fetal plasma levels are often 100-fold higher than the concentrations seen in normal non-pregnant human plasma. Despite these high CRH levels neither the maternal nor fetal pituitary releases excessive amounts of ACTH. A specific CRH-binding protein (CRHBP) exists in the maternal circulation which is able to bind and inactivate the ACTH releasing activity of CRH. In this study we have used a specific CRHBP radioimmunoassay to determine the level of CRHBP in fetal and maternal plasma samples. Fetal samples were collected by cordocentesis between 20 and 33 weeks gestation and matched maternal samples were taken by venepuncture at the same time. In a second study, plasma samples were collected from 8 women at fortnightly intervals from week 20 to term, at labour and post-partum. A fetal sample, taken from the umbilical vein, was collected immediately post-delivery. The mean maternal CRHBP concentration for the samples collected between 20 and 33 weeks (n=23) was 8·12 nmol/l and the fetal level was 8·62 nmol/l. Data from the second study showed that at term the maternal CRHBP concentration decreased significantly (P<0·025) to 6·32 nmol/l. The fetal CRHBP level also decreased significantly (P<0·001) at term to a level of 5·84 nmol/l. The CRHBP in both fetal and maternal plasma was shown to be functional by 125I-CRH binding and gel permeation chromatography. The capacity of maternal and fetal plasma to bind 125I-CRH decreased at term in agreement with the quantitation of plasma CRHBP by radioimmunoassay. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 146, 395–401

scholarly journals Testosterone measured from amniotic fluid and maternal plasma shows no significant association with directional asymmetry in newborn digit ratio (2D:4D)

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Richards ◽  
M. Gomes ◽  
T. Ventura
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Relative Length ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Digit Ratio ◽  
Directional Asymmetry ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
Left Hand

AbstractFoetal sex hormones can have powerful and far-reaching effects on later phenotype. However, obtaining accurate measurements is difficult for ethical reasons, and researchers often employ proxy variables to examine their effects. The relative length of the second and fourth fingers (digit ratio or 2D:4D) is frequently used for this purpose, as it is hypothesized to index variance in prenatal androgen and oestrogen exposure. Most studies employing this method examine digit ratio for the right hand (R2D:4D) and/or left hand (L2D:4D), though the mean value (M2D:4D) (i.e., the average of R2D:4D and L2D:4D) and directional asymmetry (D[R–L]) (i.e., R2D:4D minus L2D:4D) are also commonly used. As no published studies have examined M2D:4D or D[R-L] in relation to testosterone measured from amniotic fluid, we conducted a secondary analysis of data published by Ventura et al. The sample comprises 106 mothers from Portugal who underwent amniocentesis during the second trimester and their neonates. Newborn M2D:4D was negatively correlated with amniotic testosterone in females (P<0.05) but not in males; no significant association was observed between amniotic testosterone and D[R–L] in either sex. In addition, we examined testosterone measured from maternal circulation during the second trimester, and found that it was not a significant predictor of M2D:4D or D[R–L] in male or female infants. Further research should aim to measure the ratio of testosterone to oestradiol present in amniotic fluid and maternal plasma, to examine whether either is a predictor of digit ratio variables at different stages of postnatal development.

Carnitine in the Perinatal Metabolism of Lipids I. Relationship Between Maternal and Fetal Plasma Levels of Carnitine and Acylcarnitines

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
Milan Novak ◽  
Ellen F. Monkus ◽  
Dina Chung ◽  
Maria Buch
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Oxidation ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Free Carnitine ◽  
Acid Oxidation ◽  
Limited Capacity ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Arterial Plasma

Since premature infants have a limited capacity for fatty acid oxidation, supplementation with carnitine may improve their utilization of fat. Documentation of the source and extent of fetal carnitine reserves should explain the possible need for exogenous carnitine in the neonate. Correlation between free carnitine concentration in maternal and umbilical arterial plasma at birth (r = .45, P &lt; .01) indicates that the initial concentration of free carnitine in the newborn depends on the maternal level. Thin-layer chromatography shows more γ-butyrobetaine in maternal than umbilical arterial plasma indicating higher availability of the precursor of carnitine biosynthesis. Elevated fatty acid oxidation in maternal tissues seems to be reflected by larger amounts of long-chain acylcarnitines in maternal plasma. Shortchain acylcarnitines, mainly acetylcarnitine, are higher in the umbilical vein than in maternal plasma (P &lt; .01) indicating that the conceptus (the placenta or fetus) is either producing more or utilizing less acetylcarnitine. Plasma levels of carnitine rapidly decrease in premature newborns during the first three days after birth if no exogenous carnitine is given (P &lt; .001), while no significant changes of total carnitine were detected in adult patients on total parenteral alimentation for one week. This difference indicates lower carnitine depots or limited capacity for carnitine biosynthesis in neonates. The possibility still requires further investigation that the development of the optimal rate of fatty acid oxidation in human newborns, as well as in other newborn mammals, may depend on the supply of exogenous carnitine.

scholarly journals Retinol transport proteins and concentrations in human amniotic fluid, placenta, and fetal and maternal sera

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Sklan ◽  
I. Shalit ◽  
N. Lasebnik ◽  
Z. Spirer ◽  
Y. Weisman
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Umbilical Artery ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Retinol Binding Protein ◽  
Human Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
Plasma Retinol

1. The proteins binding retinol, and retinol concentrations, were determined in amniotic fluid, placental cytosol and in the fetal and maternal circulation.2. In non-pregnant women, plasma retinol was almost exclusively found in a transthyretin-retinol-binding-protein complex whereas, in pregnant women, retinol-binding-protein-bound retinol was observed not complexed to transthyretin. This latter fraction increased in concentration with fetal age. These two fractions were the major retinol-protein complexes in amniotic fluid and their relative amounts changed with progress of gestation.3. In fetal blood both of these fractions were again found, with higher proportions of retinol-binding- protein-bound retinol in the umbilical artery than in the umbilical vein.

HUMAN PLACENTAL TRANSFER OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE-I125

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-539
Author(s):  
Katherine C. King ◽  
Peter A. J. Adam ◽  
Robert Schwartz ◽  
Kari Teramo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Human Growth Hormone ◽  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Human Growth ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Arterial Plasma

At term, human growth hormone (HGH) does not cross the human placenta: therefore, the source of HGH in the fetal plasma is the fetal pituitary. In order to determine whether the fetal pituitary is also the only source of HGH secretion early in gestation, the maternofetal transfer of HGH-I125 was evaluated in four pregnant women receiving legal therapeutic abortions by abdominal hysterotomy. The plasma concentration of HGH-I125 was maintained until fetal delivery by a continuous infusion of the labeled hormone at 20 µc/hr for 170 to 225 minutes; and the plasma HGH-I125 concentration was determined by a specific immunoprecipitation. Even with maternal plasma levels of radioactive HGH between 875 and 1287 cpm/ml, no HGH-I125 was detected in either umbilical venous or arterial plasma, or in the amniotic fluid. As at term, no human placental transfer of HGH-I125 occurs early in gestation. Since the fetal hypophysis synthesizes, secretes, and stores HGH as early as 9 weeks in gestation, the fetal anterior pituitary apparently is the only source of HGH available to the human fetus.

Immunoreactive β-endorphin/lipotrophin in the chronically cannulated ovine foetus: response to bilateral foetal adrenalectomy

1982 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 612-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Hennessy ◽  
K. J. Hardy ◽  
M. E. Quigley ◽  
E. Marelyn Wintour ◽  
S. S. C. Yen
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Feedback Systems ◽  
Foetal Death ◽  
Glucocorticoid Treatment ◽  
Feedback Control Systems

Abstract. Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) is derived from a 'stem' hormone of approximately 31 000 daltons. In man, cleavage of this hormone can produce equimolar amounts of ACTH and β-lipotrophin (β-LPH) in the plasma. Further cleavage of β-LPH in either the pituitary or plasma can release β-endorphin (β-EP). The plasma concentrations of both ACTH and β-EP can be increased by stressful stimuli, adrenalectomy, pituitary-adrenal disorders, or decreased with glucocorticoid treatment. This study investigated the presence of β-EP/LPH in the intact and adrenalectomized (adrX) ovine foetus. Three ovine foetuses were bilaterally adrX at the time of implantation of cannulae into the carotid artery and jugular vein (106–120 days gestation). The foetuses of 9 ewes were chronically cannulated (95–115 days gestation) to serve as controls. Gestation length was 147 ± 5 days. Plasma β-EP/LPH was measured using a heterologous modification of a human β-EP RIA. The assay system had molar cross-reactivity of about 20% with ovine β-LPH, thus results are expressed as β-EP/LPH-like immunoreactivity (IR-β-EP/LPH). In the intact unstressed foetus the plasma IR-β-EP/LPH concentration was relatively constant throughout gestation 228.9 ± 12.0 pg/ml (mean ± sem, n = 35) except for the last 48 h prior to either parturition, abortion or in utero foetal death when concentrations were seen to rise to 357 ± 56.8 pg/ml (n = 10) in 5 out of 6 sheep. During gestation the IR-β-EP/LPH in amniotic fluid was less than in foetal plasma the mean being 130.5 ± 14.8 (n = 10). IR-β-EP/LPH in maternal plasma was similar to that in foetal plasma. In the adrX foetus data has been arbitrarily divided into 3 age groups 90–121, 122–135 and > 136 days gestation, the IR-β-EP/LPH concentrations being 202.7 ± 16.3 (n = 9), 404.6 ± 54.8 (n = 13) and 2566 ± 681 (n = 5) pg/ml, respectively. The elevated IR-β-EP/LPH seen after 122 days does not appear to be reflected in either foetal urine or amniotic fluid. It can be suggested that the pituitary feedback systems controlling both IR-ACTH and IR-β-EP/LPH start to mature or change after 122 days gestation. In summary these findings show the presence of an immunoassayable substance with β-EP/LPH-like reactivity in the plasma of the ovine foetus, and that this IR-β-EP/LPH can often increase prior to parturition, abortion of foetal death. After 122 days gestation IR-β-EP/LPH increases in adrX foetuses, suggesting that after this time feedback control systems with some product of the foetal adrenal first begin to appear.

Diamine oxidase activity in human maternal and fetal plasma and tissues at parturition

1965 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1048-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Louis Southren ◽  
Yutaka Kobayashi ◽  
Paul Brenner ◽  
Allan B. Weingold
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Premature Infants ◽  
Oxidase Activity ◽  
Diamine Oxidase ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Full Term ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Diamine Oxidase Activity ◽  
The Mean

The human maternal-to-fetal plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) ratio was measured in 48 paired samples from full-term pregnancies. A radioassay procedure was employed. The over-all mean maternal-to-fetal (M/F) ratio was 166/1. In a series of 12 premature deliveries the mean M/F ratio was 21/1. The low M/F ratio in the latter group was due to a high mean plasma DAO titer in the premature infants. The relative DAO content of the various trophoblastic and decidual tissues and fluids at parturition in decreasing order of activity, were as follows: decidua = 5,200, membranes = 4,100, placenta = 1,400, amniotic fluid = 100, maternal plasma = 42, cord = 14, and fetal plasma = 1. The accumulated data support the concept of a decidual origin of pregnancy DAO. radioassay of diamine oxidase; prematurity; trophoblastic and decidual tissues; amniotic fluid Submitted on September 2, 1964

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