title: Umbilical Vein and Maternal Serum Inhibin A, Activin A, and Follistatin Concentrations in IUGR due to Placental Dysfunction Pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study were to (1) quantify the concentrations of inhibin A, activin A, and follistatin in maternal serum and umbilical vein (inhibin A, activin A) in IUGR due to placental dysfunction pregnancies and control group, (2) determine the concentration differences of these factors in maternal and umbilical vein serum in control and subject group, and (3) examine the relationship between fetal growth and placental function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sandwich ELISA was used to measure the concentrations in control (n = 40) and subject groups (n = 30).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Umbilical vein serum inhibin A, activin A concentrations were increased in subject group compared with controls (inhibin A regression coefficient, 0.7647, P < 0.001, activin A P < 0.0005). Maternal serum inhibin A, activin A were significantly increased in subject group compared with controls (inhibin A regression coefficient, 0.7614, P < 0.001, activin A P < 0.0005). Maternal serum activin: follistatin ratio was significantly increased in subject group compared with controls (P < 0.0005). Maternal serum inhibin A, activin A concentrations were more when compared to the umbilical vein inhibin A, activin A concentrations in subject group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study strengthens the evidence of using inhibin A, activin A, and follistatin as serum markers in routine screening for early detection of IUGR. But large prospective studies are needed to further define their role in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006 China.
authors.forename: Sravanthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasam
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006 China.
authors.forename: Zongji
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006 China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006 China.
authors.forename: Madisetty Venkat
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sudeep
keywords: Activin A; Follistatin; IUGR; Inhibin A; Maternal serum; Umbililical vein serum