title: Serum levels of CA 125 during the first trimester of normal outcome, ectopic and anembryonic pregnancies.
abstract: Single serum samples were obtained during the first trimester of pregnancies with a retrospectively normal outcome (n = 150), ectopic pregnancies (n = 38) and anembryonic pregnancies (n = 78). Serial samples during the first trimester were also obtained from 43 women achieving pregnancy following successful treatment for infertility and with a retrospectively defined normal outcome. Significant variation in serum CA 125 levels in relation to gestational age was observed in pregnancies with a normal outcome (P less than 0.0001). Peak serum CA 125 levels were observed at 6-7 weeks, the mean level at this gestation being 40.1 U/ml (range 31.7-50.7 U/ml) in the normal conception/normal outcome group and 36.5 U/ml (range 25.6-52.0 U/ml) in the assisted conception/normal outcome group. A rise and fall in serum CA 125 levels during the first trimester was observed in 42 of 43 assisted conceptions monitored serially, with peak levels ranging from 7 to 1398 U/ml (median 48.8 U/ml) occurring at 28-61 days (median 45 days) gestation. Mean serum CA 125 levels were higher in the anembryonic pregnancy group at 4-5 and 6-7 weeks gestation than in both normal pregnancy outcome groups (P less than 0.01).
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, London Hospital Medical College, UK.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Fay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yovich
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stabile
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Oram
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Grudzinskas
mesh_terms: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000276:immunology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin