title: Parathyroid hormone: another pregnancy protein present in human seminal plasma and amniotic fluid.
abstract: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been found in human seminal plasma at concentrations of 302 +/- 65 (222-482) pmol l-1 (n = 16), which is about 5 times the concentration in human blood serum. Concentrations in human amniotic fluid at 16-22 weeks of gestation were 43 +/- 9 (28-65) pmol l-1 (n = 24), which is about 80% of the concentration in blood serum. The Amersham assay uses an antiserum raised against the synthetic middle piece of the PTH molecule from the parathyroid glands. It estimates amino acids 44-68 of the 84 amino acid intact molecule, together with fragments containing this part of the chain. It is considered that a placental type of parathyroid hormone was being measured, some of which escapes into the amniotic fluid. The placenta contains a complete PTH-dihydroxyvitamin D3 system that causes the absorption of more calcium from the gut for foetal needs during pregnancy. It is postulated that the seminal vesicles also contain a PTH-dihydroxyvitamin D3 system that has a paracrine action in passing large amounts of calcium into the ejaculate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology, Sterility and Family Planning, Klinikum Steglitz, Free University, West Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brotherton
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012016:Reference Values; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone