title: Endothelin-1,2 levels in umbilical vein serum of intra-uterine growth retarded fetuses as detected by cordocentesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to determine whether the circulatory levels of endothelins, potent vasoconstrictor polypeptides produced mainly by endothelial cells, are increased in growth-retarded fetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fetal venous serum samples, withdrawn by ultrasound-guided cordocentesis from 11 growth-retarded fetuses and 10 normally-growing fetuses who underwent the procedure because of other unrelated indications, were examined for immunoreactive endothelin-1,2 by radioimmunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher mean endothelin-1,2 levels were found in the sera of growth-retarded fetuses than in controls (16.8 +/- 4.2 versus 10.9 +/- 4.3 fmol/ml, p = 0.008). Within the growth-retarded group, there were no differences in endothelin-1,2 levels in the presence of either abnormal umbilical Doppler, asymmetry of growth-retardation, maternal signs of preeclampsia, or fetal acidosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High levels of endothelin-1,2 in the fetoplacental circulation may be pathophysiologically important in fetal growth retardation. However, the clinical significance of these elevated levels is yet to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University Israel.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schiff
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zalel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mashiach
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Sibai
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shalev
mesh_terms: D017218:Cordocentesis; D016232:Endothelins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods; D014471:Umbilical Veins
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins