title: Plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in normal pregnancy.
abstract: Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) was measured directly in maternal plasma using an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). In the first and second trimester CRF levels were within the non-pregnant range (mean 15 pg/ml). A total of 72 women was followed sequentially from 28 weeks until delivery and CRF levels rose from a median of 20 pg/ml at 28 weeks to 1320 pg/ml at 40 weeks and 1732 pg/ml during labour. There was a strong correlation (rs = 0.81, P less than 0.001) between gestational age and CRF levels. The rate of rise of CRF (pg/ml) per week was associated with weight gain (rs = 0.36, P less than 0.05) but with no other obstetric variable. There was an association between umbilical cord and maternal plasma CRF levels (rs = 0.54, P less than 0.01).
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynaecology, UMDS St Thomas's Campus, London.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Linton
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third
chemical_list: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone