Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A levels in maternal serum, extraembryonic coelomic and amniotic fluids in the first trimester.
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.
Iles
R K
RK
Joint Academic Department of Reproductive Physiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, West Smithfield, London, UK.
Wathen
N C
NC
Sharma
K B
KB
Campbell
J
J
Grudzinskas
J G
JG
Chard
T
T
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
D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A