Relaxin levels in ovum donation pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relative contributions of the corpus luteum (CL) and the placenta to the circulating levels of relaxin during pregnancy.


METHODS
Forty-one patients in whom pregnancy had been achieved by ovum donation.


RESULTS
Relaxin was not detected in the serum of 36 patients; in the remaining 5, although it was detectable, the levels were markedly reduced when compared with those in normal pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that the CL is essential for the maintenance of normal circulating levels of relaxin during pregnancy.
Johnson
M R
MR
Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Abdalla
H
H
Allman
A C
AC
Wren
M E
ME
Kirkland
A
A
Lightman
S L
SL
D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000502:physiology*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000097:blood; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012065:Relaxin / Q000097:blood*; D014424:Turner Syndrome / Q000097:blood
D012065:Relaxin