Relationship between maternal and fetal corticotrophin-releasing hormone-41 and ACTH levels in human mid-trimester pregnancy.
Samples of maternal blood, amniotic fluid and umbilical arterial and venous blood were collected from 11 women at 16-24 weeks of pregnancy. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone-41 (CRH-41) and ACTH were measured by immunoradiometric assay. The mean levels of ACTH were 11 pmol/l in maternal plasma, 12 pmol/l in fetal plasma and 9.7 pmol/l in amniotic fluid. The mean levels of CRH-41 were 1.6 pmol/l in maternal plasma and 0.7 pmol/l in fetal plasma. There was a positive correlation between maternal and fetal plasma CRH-41 and between maternal CRH-41 and ACTH. In fetal plasma there was a weak inverse correlation between CRH-41 and ACTH. This is the first demonstration of CRH-41 in the circulation of the mid-trimester human fetus, but on the basis of the present findings it is not possible to specify the exact source (fetal, placental or maternal).
Economides
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D
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Physiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, West Smithfield, London.
Linton
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E
Nicolaides
K
K
Rodeck
C H
CH
Lowry
P J
PJ
Chard
T
T
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone