title: Activin B: detection by an immunoenzymometric assay in human serum during ovarian stimulation and late pregnancy.
abstract: A recently developed immunoenzymometric assay for activin B has been characterized further by measurement during ovarian stimulation and pregnancy. The assay is based on a monoclonal anti-peptide antibody, anti-betaB(101-115). In addition to quantitative analyses, the antibody has been used for immunohistochemical localization of the activin betaB-subunit in human term placenta. Serum samples obtained from patients suffering from tubal factor infertility who were admitted for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment protocols or from patients with proven fertility who were admitted for laparoscopic tubal ligation were collected. The aim was to correlate serum activin B concentrations with other parameters during IVF and with phases of the menstrual cycle. Serum samples obtained from healthy pregnant volunteers were studied to correlate activin B concentrations with clinical parameters. During the IVF treatment protocols, activin B was detectable in all patients studied, and a significant negative correlation was observed between serum activin B and oestradiol concentrations. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in activin B concentrations when serum samples obtained from patients at different phases of the menstrual cycle were compared, and low concentrations of activin B were observed in the samples obtained from these patients. During pregnancy, a positive correlation was observed between serum activin B concentrations and gestational age. In immunohistochemical analyses of human placental tissue obtained from healthy parturients, the activin betaB-subunit was present in trophoblast, amniotic epithelial and Hofbauer cells. The results suggest a potential clinical application in female reproductive medicine for serum activin B measurements.
authors.affiliation: Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Vihko
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bläuer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kujansuu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vilska
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Albäck
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tuimala
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tuohimaa
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Punnonen
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay / Q000379:methods*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009842:Oligopeptides; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010455:Peptides; C044147:activin B; D028341:Activins; C048617:myelopeptides; D008596:Menotropins