Premium
Reduced maternal and cord nerve growth factor levels in preterm deliveries
Author(s) -
Dhobale Madhavi,
Mehendale Savita,
Pisal Hemlata,
Nimbargi Vandana,
Joshi Sadhana
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2011.12.007
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , medicine , gestation , fetus , pregnancy , oxidative stress , cord blood , cord , neurotrophin , endocrinology , biology , surgery , receptor , genetics
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin, which exerts an important role in the development and function of the central and peripheral nervous system. There is limited information regarding the levels of NGF during pregnancy and its role in fetal development. We have earlier reported increased oxidative stress in pregnancy complications. The present study examines the levels of NGF in maternal and cord samples in preterm deliveries and its association with oxidative stress marker. A total number of 96 women delivering preterm (<37 weeks gestation) and 94 women delivering at term (control group) (≥37 weeks gestation) were recruited. Plasma NGF levels were measured in both mother and cord plasma using the Emax Immuno Assay System Promega kit. Maternal and cord plasma NGF levels were significantly reduced ( p < 0.05 for both) in women delivering preterm as compared to term. There was a positive association between maternal and cord plasma NGF levels ( p = 0.022). Maternal NGF levels were negatively ( p = 0.017) associated with maternal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Reduced cord NGF levels may affect fetal growth in preterm deliveries which may have implications for the neurodevelopmental pathologies in later life. Circulating maternal NGF levels in preterm pregnancies may be a useful marker to predict NGF levels in the neonate.