Prolactin in normal pregnancy: relationship of maternal, fetal, and amniotic fluid levels.
Serum prolactin was measured simultaneously by a homologous radioimmunoassay in 92 parturients and their offspring at term, and in maternal serum and amniotic fluid during various stages of normal pregnancy. Serum levels of 208 +/- 8 ng. per millilter were found in maternal blood; the corresponding levels in the cord serum were 354 +/- 14 ng. per milliliter. Prolactin levels in amniotic fluid were found to be 2- to 10-fold higher than the corresponding levels of the mothers. The possible source of the amniotic fluid prolactin molecule, which is identical with the human pituitary molecule, is discussed.
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D011388:Prolactin