Effect of fetal sex on apoptosis-regulating proteins in trophoblasts of full-term human placenta.
OBJECTIVE
Pregnant women with female fetuses have higher maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels compared to those pregnant women with male fetuses. Apoptosis in the placenta has a role in hCG secretion. In the present study, we examined the effect of fetal gender on apoptosis-regulating proteins in the trophoblast cells of human term placenta.


METHODS
34 uncomplicated, singleton, term pregnancies, 17 had male and 17 had female fetuses, were recruited in the study. Apoptosis-regulating proteins of the trophoblast cells were measured by using immunohistochemistry for Bcl-2 and Bax. Staining index values were compared between the female and male pregnancies.


RESULTS
There were no sex differences in Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. There were no correlations between maternal serum and cord blood hCG levels, and staining index values of two proteins in trophoblast cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The difference in maternal serum and cord blood hCG levels in correlation with fetal sex is not associated with apoptosis-regulating proteins in the trophoblast cells of human term placenta.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey. drgyno@hotmail.com
Mert
M
Gol
Burcin
B
Tuna
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012737:Sex Factors; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C494826:BAX protein, human; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein