Biomaterial Database

Fetal monitoring. Biochemical methods. 1987

A Klopper

Biochemical tests of fetal well-being are falling into disfavour. Difficulties arise because we are unable to ascribe specific functions to most test substances, and because they have a large normal range. Nevertheless, a critical survey of the evidence suggests biochemical tests have a part to play in antenatal monitoring, albeit a much reduced one. The main test substances are steroids and proteins produced by the trophoblast. These two classes of substances have a quite different metabolism and compartmental distribution, and the appropriate application of assays is different. A variety of progestogens and oestrogens are used as test substances, the most notable being oestriol. In view of their rapid metabolism, steroid assays serve best in pathological conditions of rapid onset. A dynamic test of the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone to oestradiol has not fulfilled its initial promise. Among the placental proteins, human placental lactogen is most favoured, although some of the newly discovered proteins may have special applications in certain diseases. The use of biochemical tests in early pregnancy has not been sufficiently explored. The test substances may, in early pregnancy, play a more important role in fetal development and biochemical tests, particularly as a screening test to detect patients at risk of later overt disease, may be valuable.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010926	Placental Hormones	Hormones produced by the placenta include CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN, and PLACENTAL LACTOGEN as well as steroids (ESTROGENS; PROGESTERONE), and neuropeptide hormones similar to those found in the hypothalamus (HYPOTHALAMIC HORMONES).	Hormones, Placental
D010928	Placental Lactogen	A polypeptide hormone of approximately 25 kDa that is produced by the SYNCYTIOTROPHOBLASTS of the PLACENTA, also known as chorionic somatomammotropin. It has both GROWTH HORMONE and PROLACTIN activities on growth, lactation, and luteal steroid production. In women, placental lactogen secretion begins soon after implantation and increases to 1 g or more a day in late pregnancy. Placental lactogen is also an insulin antagonist.	Choriomammotropin,Chorionic Somatomammotropin, Human,Human Placental Lactogen,Lactogen Hormone, Placental,Mammotropic Hormone, Placental,Somatomammotropin, Chorionic,Choriomammotrophin,HCS (Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin),HPL (Human Placental Lactogen),PAPP-D,Placental Luteotropin,Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein D,Chorionic Somatomammotropin,Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin,Lactogen, Placental,Luteotropin, Placental,Placental Lactogen, Human,Placental Mammotropic Hormone,Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein D
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011257	Pregnancy Proteins	Proteins produced by organs of the mother or the PLACENTA during PREGNANCY. These proteins may be pregnancy-specific (present only during pregnancy) or pregnancy-associated (present during pregnancy or under other conditions such as hormone therapy or certain malignancies.)	Placental Proteins,Proteins, Placental,Proteins, Pregnancy
D011266	Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A	A product of the PLACENTA, and DECIDUA, secreted into the maternal circulation during PREGNANCY. It has been identified as an IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-4 protease that proteolyzes IGFBP-4 and thus increases IGF bioavailability. It is found also in human FIBROBLASTS, ovarian FOLLICULAR FLUID, and GRANULOSA CELLS. The enzyme is a heterotetramer of about 500-kDa.	PAPP-A,IGFBP-4 Metalloproteinase,IGFBP-4 Protease,IGFBP-4-Specific Proteinase,Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Dependent IGF Binding Protein-4 Protease,Insulin-Like-Growth Factor Binding Protein-4 Protease,PAPP-alpha,Pregnancy Associated alpha Plasma Protein,Pregnancy-Associated alpha-Plasma Protein,IGFBP 4 Metalloproteinase,IGFBP 4 Protease,Insulin Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 Protease,Insulin Like Growth Factor Dependent IGF Binding Protein 4 Protease,Metalloproteinase, IGFBP-4,PAPP alpha,Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein A,Protease, IGFBP-4
D011268	Pregnancy-Specific beta 1-Glycoproteins	Glycoproteins with the electrophoretic mobility of BETA-GLOBULINS, secreted by the placental TROPHOBLASTS into the maternal bloodstream during PREGNANCY. They can be detected 18 days after OVULATION and reach 200 mg/ml at the end of pregnancy. They are associated with fetal well-being.	Pregnancy-Specific beta 1-Glycoprotein,SP1 Pregnancy Protein,Trophoblast-Specific beta 1-Glycoprotein,beta 1-Glycoprotein, Pregnancy-Specific,beta-1 Glycoprotein, Trophoblast-Specific,PAPP-B,PAPP-C,PSBG-1,Pregnancy Specific beta 1 Glycoprotein,Pregnancy Specific beta-1 Glycoprotein,Pregnancy Specific beta1-Glycoprotein.,Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein B,Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein C,Pregnancy-Associated beta-Plasma Protein,Pregnancy-Specific beta-1 Globulin,Schwangerschaftsprotein 1,Trophoblastic beta 1-Glycoprotein,Trophoblastic beta(1)-Globulin,Trophoblastic beta-Globulin,beta 1-Globulin, Trophoblast-Specific,1-Glycoproteins, Pregnancy-Specific beta,PAPP B,PSBG 1,Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein B,Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein C,Pregnancy Protein, SP1,Pregnancy Specific beta 1 Globulin,Pregnancy Specific beta 1 Glycoproteins,Protein, SP1 Pregnancy,Trophoblast Specific beta 1 Glycoprotein,Trophoblast-Specific beta 1-Globulin,Trophoblast-Specific beta-1 Glycoprotein,Trophoblastic beta Globulin,beta 1 Globulin, Trophoblast Specific,beta 1-Glycoproteins, Pregnancy-Specific,beta-1 Globulin, Pregnancy-Specific,beta-Globulin, Trophoblastic
D011296	Prenatal Diagnosis	Determination of the nature of a pathological condition or disease in the postimplantation EMBRYO; FETUS; or pregnant female before birth.	Diagnosis, Prenatal,Fetal Diagnosis,Fetal Imaging,Fetal Screening,Intrauterine Diagnosis,Antenatal Diagnosis,Antenatal Screening,Diagnosis, Antenatal,Diagnosis, Intrauterine,Prenatal Screening,Antenatal Diagnoses,Antenatal Screenings,Diagnosis, Fetal,Fetal Diagnoses,Fetal Imagings,Fetal Screenings,Imaging, Fetal,Intrauterine Diagnoses,Prenatal Diagnoses,Prenatal Screenings,Screening, Antenatal,Screening, Fetal,Screening, Prenatal
D011372	Progestins	Compounds that interact with PROGESTERONE RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of PROGESTERONE. Primary actions of progestins, including natural and synthetic steroids, are on the UTERUS and the MAMMARY GLAND in preparation for and in maintenance of PREGNANCY.	Gestagenic Agent,Progestagen,Progestagenic Agent,Progestational Agent,Progestational Compound,Progestational Hormone,Progestogen,Progestogens,Gestagen,Gestagen Effect,Gestagen Effects,Gestagenic Agents,Gestagenic Effect,Gestagenic Effects,Gestagens,Progestagenic Agents,Progestagens,Progestational Agents,Progestational Compounds,Progestational Hormones,Progestin,Progestin Effect,Progestin Effects,Progestogen Effect,Progestogen Effects,Agent, Gestagenic,Agent, Progestagenic,Agent, Progestational,Compound, Progestational,Effect, Gestagen,Effect, Gestagenic,Effect, Progestin,Effect, Progestogen,Effects, Gestagen,Effects, Gestagenic,Effects, Progestin,Effects, Progestogen,Hormone, Progestational
D004967	Estrogens	Compounds that interact with ESTROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of ESTRADIOL. Estrogens stimulate the female reproductive organs, and the development of secondary female SEX CHARACTERISTICS. Estrogenic chemicals include natural, synthetic, steroidal, or non-steroidal compounds.	Estrogen,Estrogen Effect,Estrogen Effects,Estrogen Receptor Agonists,Estrogenic Agents,Estrogenic Compounds,Estrogenic Effect,Estrogenic Effects,Agents, Estrogenic,Agonists, Estrogen Receptor,Compounds, Estrogenic,Effects, Estrogen,Effects, Estrogenic,Receptor Agonists, Estrogen
D005260	Female		Females