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Amniotic fluid concentrations of secreted pregnancy‐associated endometrial α 1 and α 2 ‐globulins (α 1 ‐ and α 2 ‐PEG)
Author(s) -
BELL S. C.,
HALES M. W.,
PATEL S. R.,
KIRWAN P. H.,
DRIFE J. O.,
MILFORDWARD A.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1986.tb08007.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , amniocentesis , amniotic fluid , endometrium , gestation , peg ratio , globulin , andrology , endocrinology , fetus , medicine , biology , prenatal diagnosis , genetics , finance , economics
Summary. The levels of pregnancy‐associated endometrial α 1 ‐ and α 2 ‐globulins (α 1 ‐ and α 2 ‐PEG), the two major proteins synthesized and secreted by the endometrium in vitro have been assayed in 210 amniotic fluid specimens obtained at termination of pregnancy or by amniocentesis, or at delivery. α 1 ‐PEG was undetectable until week 10 and thereafter rose to peak levels between weeks 20 and 24. Levels fell 15‐fold by week 35 but substantial amounts were still present at parturition. α 2 ‐PEG was present at highest levels during early pregnancy, at weeks 6–15, but thereafter levels rapidly fell until during weeks 31–42 α 2 ‐PEG was detectable in only 3 of 25 specimens. During weeks 15–20, when α 2 ‐PEG levels fell and α 1 ‐PEG levels rose, a high correlation was observed between the week of gestation and the log of the ratios of the concentration of these proteins. These observations provide the opportunity to assess the role of endometrial and decidual dysfunction in the aetiology of pregnancy disorders.