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Parathyroid hormone: another pregnancy protein present in human seminal plasma and amniotic fluid
Author(s) -
Brotherton J.,
Lübbert A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1991.tb02499.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , parathyroid hormone , amniotic fluid , chemistry , calcium , hormone , placenta , antiserum , fetus , biology , pregnancy , antibody , immunology , genetics
Summary. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been found in human seminal plasma at concentrations of 302 ± 65 (222–482) pmol 1 −1 ( n = 16), which is about 5 times the concentration in human blood serum. Concentrations in human amniotic fluid at 16–22 weeks of gestation were 43 ± 9 (28–65) pmol 1 −1 ( n = 24), which is about 80% of the concentration in blood serum. The Amersham assay uses an antiserum raised against the synthetic middle piece of the PTH molecule from the parathyroid glands. It estimates amiono acids 44–68 of the 84 amino acid intact molecule, together with fragments containing this part of the chain. It is considered that a placental type of parathyroid hormone was being measured, some of which escapes into the amniotic fluid. The placenta contains a complete PTH‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 system that causes the absorption of more calcium from the gut for foetal needs during pregnancy. It is postulated that the seminal vesicles also contain a PTH‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 system that has a paracrine action in passing large amounts of calcium into the ejaculate.