Is the human chorionic gonadotropin secreted by ectopic trophoblast different from that in normal intrauterine pregnancies?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether different isoforms of hCG are secreted by trophoblast tissue from ectopic pregnancy (EP).


METHODS
Retrospective study of surgically confirmed EPs compared with normal pregnancies.


METHODS
Teaching hospital in South Africa.


METHODS
One hundred patients with EPs and 120 patients with normal pregnancies.


METHODS
Isoforms of hCG were measured by specific immunoassays, lectin binding, and examination of disappearance rates of hCG after surgical clearance of EP.


RESULTS
There were no obvious differences between the two types of pregnancy apart from a lower binding of beta-subunit immunoactivity to ricin 120. No clinically useful diagnostic measures to distinguish hCG from normal and EPs were found.


CONCLUSIONS
No obvious differences were found in the isoforms of hCG between the two types of pregnancy using these methods.
Buck
R
R
University of Natal, Congella, Durban, Republic of South Africa.
Moodley
J
J
Norman
R
R
D001769:Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002845:Chromatography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007536:Isomerism; D037102:Lectins; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D037102:Lectins