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Can variability of serum electrophoretic fractions during pregnancy provide knowledge about maternal and fetal health
Author(s) -
Strawa Agnieszka,
Skarżyńska Ewa,
Zborowska Hanna,
Jakimiuk Artur,
LisowskaMyjak Barbara
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/jog.14365
Subject(s) - pregnancy , medicine , globulin , post partum , albumin , beta globulins , biuret test , blood proteins , fetus , gestation , first trimester , serum albumin , endocrinology , gamma globulin , physiology , immunology , biology , biochemistry , antibody , genetics , urea
Aim Characteristics of variability of concentrations total protein and its electrophoretic fractions in serum of healthy pregnant women between successive trimesters and post‐partum for initial classification of proteins involved in specific metabolic processes associated with pregnancy. Methods Total serum protein concentrations were measured by biuret method and serum protein fractions were electrophoretically separated in 166 serum samples collected from healthy pregnant women in three trimesters of pregnancy (1st, n = 55; 2nd, n = 42; 3rd, n = 39) and in post‐partum ( n = 30), and in 20 samples from nonpregnant controls. Results Across pregnancy, there were gradual, but occurring at different rates, decreases over time in serum total protein, albumin and gamma globulins compared to controls ( P < 0.05). In 1st trimester, serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and gamma globulins were <10% lower than in nonpregnant state, with further decreases in 2nd and 3rd trimesters and in post‐partum. The concentrations of alpha‐1‐, alpha‐2‐, beta‐1‐ and beta‐2‐globulins were elevated compared to controls ( P < 0.05) with different dynamics of change and with the highest percentage increase for alpha‐1‐globulin. Conclusion Pregnancy‐associated alterations in the serum concentrations of total protein and in its individual electrophoretic protein fractions in each trimester of pregnancy and differences versus normal ranges in nonpregnant healthy females could be a simple screening method for classification useful laboratory parameters that help obstetricians and gynecologists to make multidirectional judgments about the state of health of pregnant women.