Corticotropin-releasing factor and its binding protein: maternal serum levels in term and preterm deliveries.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this investigation was to evaluate whether maternal serum corticotropin-releasing factor levels during pregnancy were predictive of spontaneous preterm delivery.


METHODS
Maternal serum levels of corticotropin-releasing factor and its binding protein were measured from 20 weeks of gestation in a cross-sectional study of 396 asymptomatic women at high risk for preterm delivery.


RESULTS
Gestational age-specific corticotropin-releasing factor levels were not consistently or substantially increased for preterm compared with term deliveries, whether preterm delivery was due to preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes. The binding protein for corticotropin-releasing factor did not vary according to gestational age until term, when it dropped substantially.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum corticotropin-releasing factor levels do not appear to be an important predictor of preterm birth in asymptomatic patients who subsequently have either preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes. Nevertheless, the drop in the corticotropin-releasing factor binding protein level at term suggests that the bioavailability of corticotropin-releasing factor increases as parturition approaches.
Berkowitz
G S
GS
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Lapinski
R H
RH
Lockwood
C J
CJ
Florio
P
P
Blackmore-Prince
C
C
Petraglia
F
F
D000328:Adult; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000097:blood; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone