Maternal plasma, human placental lactogen, alpha-fetoprotein, prolactin and growth hormone in early pregnancy. 1980

R F Harrison, and S Biswas

Human placental lactogen (HPL), alpha-fetoprotein, prolactin and growth hormones were assayed simultaneously twice weekly in 21 women from 4--16 weeks' gestation. Mean levels were established from 15 of the women for comparison with one woman with a twin pregnancy, two who aborted and three who received progestogen supplements. There was wide interpatient variation in all hormone levels excepting HPL. The mean levels of all except growth hormone showed an upward trend. Mean growth hormone levels were higher initially but remained within a 2--4 ng/ml range throughout. In the twin pregnancy, only HPL and alpha-fetoprotein levels were significantly raised. HPL was detected in one of the two women who aborted, whereas growth hormone was initially extremely high, falling precipitously prior to abortion in both women. Treatment with progestogen supplements did not appear to influence any of the hormones measured. This study suggests that serial estimations of HPL appear to be the most cost-effective guide to early fetal well-being of the four hormones measured.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D011261 Pregnancy Trimester, First The beginning third of a human PREGNANCY, from the first day of the last normal menstrual period (MENSTRUATION) through the completion of 14 weeks (98 days) of gestation. Early Placental Phase,Pregnancy, First Trimester,Trimester, First,Early Placental Phases,First Pregnancy Trimester,First Pregnancy Trimesters,First Trimester,First Trimester Pregnancies,First Trimester Pregnancy,First Trimesters,Phase, Early Placental,Phases, Early Placental,Placental Phase, Early,Placental Phases, Early,Pregnancies, First Trimester,Pregnancy Trimesters, First,Trimesters, First
D011262 Pregnancy Trimester, Second The middle third of a human PREGNANCY, from the beginning of the 15th through the 28th completed week (99 to 196 days) of gestation. Midtrimester,Pregnancy, Second Trimester,Trimester, Second,Midtrimesters,Pregnancies, Second Trimester,Pregnancy Trimesters, Second,Second Pregnancy Trimester,Second Pregnancy Trimesters,Second Trimester,Second Trimester Pregnancies,Second Trimester Pregnancy,Second Trimesters,Trimesters, Second
D011272 Pregnancy, Multiple The condition of carrying two or more FETUSES simultaneously. Multiple Pregnancy,Multiple Pregnancies,Pregnancies, Multiple
D011388 Prolactin A lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). It is a polypeptide of approximately 23 kD. Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation. Prolactin receptors are present in the mammary gland, hypothalamus, liver, ovary, testis, and prostate. Lactogenic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropin,PRL (Prolactin),Hormone, Pituitary Lactogenic,Hormone, Pituitary Mammotropic,Pituitary Lactogenic Hormone,Pituitary Mammotropic Hormone
D005260 Female Females
D005865 Gestational Age The age of the conceptus, beginning from the time of FERTILIZATION. In clinical obstetrics, the gestational age is often estimated from the onset of the last MENSTRUATION which is about 2 weeks before OVULATION and fertilization. It is also estimated to begin from fertilization, estrus, coitus, or artificial insemination. Embryologic Age,Fetal Maturity, Chronologic,Chronologic Fetal Maturity,Fetal Age,Maturity, Chronologic Fetal,Age, Embryologic,Age, Fetal,Age, Gestational,Ages, Embryologic,Ages, Fetal,Ages, Gestational,Embryologic Ages,Fetal Ages,Gestational Ages
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000022 Abortion, Spontaneous Expulsion of the product of FERTILIZATION before completing the term of GESTATION and without deliberate interference. Abortion, Tubal,Early Pregnancy Loss,Miscarriage,Spontaneous Abortion,Abortions, Spontaneous,Abortions, Tubal,Early Pregnancy Losses,Loss, Early Pregnancy,Losses, Early Pregnancy,Miscarriages,Pregnancy Loss, Early,Pregnancy Losses, Early,Spontaneous Abortions,Tubal Abortion,Tubal Abortions

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