title: Fetal hepatic alpha-fetoprotein mRNA expression in fetuses with trisomy 21 and 18 at 12-15 weeks gestation.
abstract: In this study we examined alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA expression in fetal liver at 12-15 weeks of gestation in trisomy 21 (n = 13), trisomy 18 (n = 5) and control fetuses (n = 24). No significant difference was found in the steady-state level of fetal liver AFP mRNA levels in either of the two trisomy groups studied. These findings suggest that the decrease in maternal serum AFP concentration found in trisomic pregnancies is unlikely to be the consequence of impaired transcription of the AFP gene by the fetal liver.
authors.affiliation: Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital Medical School, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Brizot
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Mckie
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: von Kaisenberg
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farzaneh
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Nicolaides
mesh_terms: D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014314:Trisomy; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins