title: Gastrin releasing peptide immunoreactivity is present in ovine amniotic fluid and fetal and maternal circulations. MRC Group in Fetal and Neonatal Health and Development.
abstract: Using antisera directed towards the C-terminal region of gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), significant quantities of GRP-like immunoreactivity (GRPLI) were detected in ovine amniotic fluid and in the fetal and maternal circulations. The highest GRPLI levels were found in amniotic fluid (2135 +/- 829 fmol/ml, n = 12; mean +/- SEM), followed by those in ovine fetal (604 +/- 267 fmol/ml, n = 13) and maternal plasma (229 +/- 89 fmol/ml, n = 13). On gel filtration chromatography, the predominant GRPLI form in each fluid eluted in an identical position consistent with the entity being of apparently larger molecular size than porcine GRP1-27. Certain fetal plasma samples contained a second GRPLI peak eluting at the void volume. Hence, during ovine pregnancy a GRPLI entity circulates in fetal and maternal plasma; the entity is of apparently larger molecular size than GRP1-27 but contains a structure immunologically indistinguishable from the bioactive c-terminal region of GRP1-27. Given the recognized bioactivities of GRP, this entity may be an important hormone during ovine fetal life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ob/Gyn, Lawson Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Challis
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001839:Bombesin; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D001839:Bombesin