title: Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A levels in maternal serum, extraembryonic coelomic and amniotic fluids in the first trimester.
abstract: First trimester maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A(PAPP-P) are reduced in women with a Down's syndrome pregnancy. We have examined the concentration of this molecule in the amniotic (AF) and extra-embryonic coelomic (EECF) fluids surrounding the developing fetus. Maternal serum levels of PAPP-A were elevated in all samples and steadily rose from a median of 480 mIU/1 at 8 weeks to a median of 6375 mIU/1 at 14 weeks gestation. Levels of PAPP-A were low in EECF and undetectable in the AF until 14 weeks gestation. This pattern of distribution is in contrast to that of most other trophoblast-associated antigens. This may reflect PAPP-A physiology and its specific production by the syncytiotrophoblast.
authors.affiliation: Joint Academic Department of Reproductive Physiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, West Smithfield, London, UK.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Iles
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Wathen
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Grudzinskas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chard
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A