title: Transformed alpha-fetoprotein (t-AFP) levels in women with threatened preterm labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate maternal serum transformed alpha-fetoprotein (MSt-AFP) levels, a new molecular conformation of AFP was used in cases of threatened preterm labor (TPL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case-control study. Maternal serum levels of classical AFP and transformed AFP (t-AFP) were compared between 2 groups matched by gestational age: 25 women with TPL and 25 healthy pregnant women as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in classical maternal serum AFP (MSAFP) levels between the 2 groups. In contrast, MSt-AFP levels were significantly lower in cases of TPL than in the control group [7.64 (1.78-29.06) vs. 33.38 (13.80-190.50) ng/ml; p = 0.006]. Similarly, the t-AFP:AFP ratio was also decreased in the TPL group [0.04 (0.004-0.12) vs. 0.16 (0.05-0.80); p = 0.008]. There was no significant correlation between MSAFP and MSt-AFP levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MSt-AFP levels are decreased in women with TPL.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain. fgbugatto@yahoo.com
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: González-Bugatto
authors: María de los Angeles
authors: Mde L
authors: Bailén
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Fernández-Macías
authors: Alvaro
authors: A
authors: Fernández-Deudero
authors: Blas
authors: B
authors: Hervías-Vivancos
authors: José L
authors: JL
authors: Bartha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011487:Protein Conformation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C097353:AFP protein, human; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins