title: Pattern of maternal F-cell production during pregnancy.
abstract: Maternal haemoglobin F production has been monitored in 11 normal pregnancies, with an immunofluorescent technique. In all cases there was a significant increase in the number of F-cells which reached a peak at 18-22 weeks' gestation. Comparison of the numbers of F-cells with the percentage haemoglobin F determined chemically indicated that the increase in maternal haemoglobin F synthesis results from an increased production of F-cells rather than from an increased synthesis of haemoglobin F by the F-cells. There was a highly significant increase in the number of F-cells in a pregnant beta-thalassaemia heterozygote.
mesh_terms: D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin