title: First-trimester maternal serum ADAM12-s and PAPP-A levels are altered in pregnancies conceived after assisted reproduction techniques (ART).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this article is to estimate whether the maternal serum levels of A disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 12 (ADAM12-s), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (fβ-hCG) are altered in assisted reproduction techniques (ART) pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study with a control group was performed. Two hundred eighty-three ART pregnancies and 1008 controls were studied. The patients were divided into groups according to the type of conception: (1) controls, (2) fresh embryo transfer (ET) following controlled ovarian stimulation (COH) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), (3) fresh ET following COH and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), (4) frozen ET during natural menstrual cycle (NC-FET), and (5) frozen ET using hormone replacement therapy. The cases and controls were matched for gestational and maternal age and for the storage time of the samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ADAM12-s levels were statistically significantly higher in the entire ART group, IVF and ICSI groups, and NC-FET group when compared with those in the controls. The PAPP-A levels were decreased only in the ICSI group compared with those in the controls. fβ-hCG levels were not altered in assisted pregnancies. The ADAM12-s levels tended to increase with advanced gestational age. ADAM12-s levels were correlated with PAPP-A and fβ-hCG levels in several subgroups of ART pregnancies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADAM12-s and PAPP-A levels are altered in several subgroups of ART pregnancies. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Maarit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahraravand
authors.affiliation: Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laitinen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Ilkka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Järvelä
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryynänen
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072199:ADAM12 Protein; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000072199:ADAM12 Protein; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A; C579283:PAPPA protein, human