Open AccessRed Cell 2,3‐Diphosphoglycerate and Hemoglobin‐Oxygen Affinity During Normal Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Madsen Hans,
Ditzel Jøm
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348409156691
Subject(s) - hemoglobin , pregnancy , medicine , red cell , diphosphoglycerate , post partum , endocrinology , oxygen transport , fetal hemoglobin , hemoglobin f , oxygen , fetus , chemistry , biology , genetics , organic chemistry
Abstract. The concentration of red cell 2,3‐diphosphoglyce‐rate (2,3‐DPG), hemoglobin‐oxygen affinity and other oxygen transport variables were determined during first, second and third trimester of normal pregnancy as well as 3 months post partum in 18 healthy women. The median concentration of red cell 2,3‐DPG increased significantly from the first to the third trimester (16.1 to 17.0 μmol/gHb, p>0.01), whereas 2,3‐DPG decreased significantly post partum (p>0.01). Normal pregnancy was also associated with relative anemia, a significant increase in arterial pH, hypocapnia and hypophosphatemia. The difference in hemoglobin concentration from the first trimester to 3 months post partum was correlated inversely with the difference in red cell 2,3‐DPG content (r= 0.52, p>0.05). In spite of the variations in red cell 2,3‐DPG, hemoglobin‐oxygen affinity expressed as p 50 at actual pH remained unchanged during pregnancy and post partum. The study suggests that the increased level of 2,3‐DPG during pregnancy may in part represent compensation for physiologic anemia and also compensate for a factor leading to increased hemoglobin‐oxygen affinity during pregnancy.