Alterations of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-like immunoreactivity in the human plasma during pregnancy and after birth.
BACKGROUND
Since its discovery, several distinct effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) have been established - predominantly in animal studies - in the nervous system, various peripheral organs as well as in the endocrine regulation. It is unknown whether PACAP has any effect on human pregnancy regarding either utero-maternal or perinatal aspects of the gestation.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated alterations of PACAP38-like immunoreactivity (PACAP38-LI) in the human plasma throughout normal pregnancy, during and after delivery, and its level in the umbilical vessels, as well as in the peripheral blood of term healthy newborns.


METHODS
A 2 ml blood sample was used for each test, PACAP38-LI was determined by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
In the 2nd and 3rd trimester significant elevation was observed in the PACAP38-LI compared to the earlier gestation and non-pregnant conditions. During delivery its level significantly decreased and returned to the original values 3 days after birth. In the neonates PACAP38-LI level of the peripheral blood was similar to that of healthy adults, but umbilical arteries and veins contained significantly lower concentrations of PACAP38-LI. Besides, the levels were lower in the umbilical vein compared to the artery.


CONCLUSIONS
PACAP38-LI levels show sensitive change during normal pregnancy and delivery. Our findings suggest that the fetal organs actively synthesize PACAP. Further investigations are required to elucidate the physiological importance of the alterations observed.
Reglodi
D
D
Department of Anatomy, University of Pecs, Szigeti u 12, 7624 Pecs, Hungary. dora.reglodi@aok.pte.hu
Gyarmati
J
J
Ertl
T
T
Borzsei
R
R
Bodis
J
J
Tamas
A
A
Kiss
P
P
Csanaky
K
K
Banki
E
E
Bay
C
C
Nemeth
J
J
Helyes
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D036801:Parturition / Q000097:blood; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000097:blood; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000097:blood; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000737:chemistry; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000737:chemistry
C495401:ADCYAP1 protein, human; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide