Immunoreactive endothelin concentrations in maternal and fetal blood.
Immunoreactive-endothelin (ir-ET) concentrations were determined in peripheral maternal blood and in umbilical cord blood just after delivery. The concentrations in both the umbilical artery (2.83 +/- 1.36 pmol/l plasma, Mean +/- SD) and vein (3.37 +/- 1.53 pmol/l) were significantly higher than those found in maternal venous blood (1.43 +/- 1.02 pmol/l). On the other hand, ir-ET levels in maternal blood were not significantly different when compared with those found in non-pregnant women (1.50 +/- 0.83 pmol/l). No significant difference of ir-ET levels between the umbilical artery and vein was observed. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.60, p less than 0.01) of ir-ET levels between the umbilical artery and vein was observed. Also, a significant correlation (r = 0.48, p less than 0.01) between umbilical vein and maternal vein ir-ET levels with a weaker correlation (r = 0.36, p less than 0.05) between umbilical artery and maternal vein ir-ET levels was demonstrated. The present study indicates that ir-ET may be actively secreted in fetal circulation and the plasma levels in maternal and fetal circulation may have a possible relation.
Nakamura
T
T
Department of Endocrinology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
Kasai
K
K
Konuma
S
S
Emoto
T
T
Banba
N
N
Ishikawa
M
M
Shimoda
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003429:Cross Reactions; D016232:Endothelins; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000378:metabolism; D014680:Veins / Q000378:metabolism
D016232:Endothelins; D010455:Peptides